Concerns about Safety of Smart Meters
Presentation for Network Tasman13 May 2014
by Sue Grey LLB(Hons), BSc(Microbiology and Biochemistry), RSHDip PHI
RF EMR has many uses
*wifi*cellphones
*smart meters
But it can be harmful
• Heating effects are well accepted• Include death, burns and electric shocks
• Increasing evidence in published international research of a wide range of biological effects
EMR- Class 2B carcinogen
• In May 2011 WHO and IARC classified RF EMR as a Class 2B carcinogen
• based on research summarised in Vol 102 IARC Monographs
• It is the only Class 2B carcinogen that is deliberately transmitted into our community
• Other 2B carcinogens are typically industrial and agricultural chemicals
WHO 2014 Cancer Report
• World cancer levels are increasing exponentially
• Inadequate resources to treat cancer
• Must focus on prevention
• Latent period- typically takes 10+ years after exposure for cancer to appear - takes many years to prove it causes cancer eg tobacco, asbestos
EMR causes other biological effects
• Irregular heartbeat• Genotoxicity/Damage to DNA• Changes to cell membrane function• Difficulty sleeping• Mental health problems • Stress responses• Allergic responses- electrohypersensitivity
ESR bi-annual review of new international research on EMR
• Most recent report Aug 2013• Background exposures approaching safe limits• 22/35 identify cancer or other biological harm
from cellphones • 11/11 found molecular and cellular effects• Effects on melatonin in humans• Effect on pacemakers• Electrosensitivity• These are all “biological effects”
NZS2772:1 1999
• Protects only against heating effects (death, burns and electric shocks)
• Offers no protection against biological effects (now well established)
• can occur at much lower levels – only 0.1 % or 0.01% of levels which cause heating effects
Electrosensitivity
• Similar to an allergic reaction• Can occurs at very low exposure in sensitised
individuals• Estimated to affect 3-10% of the population• Overseas courts have started recognising ES
and awarding worker compensation• Painful, isolating and debilitating for sufferers• Nowhere safe for them to go
“Smart meters”
• EMR transmissions base to house• Neighbour to neighbour• Appliance to meter• 24/7 exposure • Many reported cases of serious illness and reactions
internationally and in NZ - even from neighbours’ meters
• Political debate eg Victoria• Not essential- we have managed very well without
smart meters until now
Informed consent
• Consent is meaningless unless it is fully informed
• This means all risk must be fully disclosed and understood
• Can’t hide behind flawed and dated NZ Standard 2772:1 1999
• Onus on the transmitter to understand and communicate all the risks
Network Tasman
• Network Tasman is a community organisation• Monopoly supplier - but a “good guy”• Please do your research about the many
health problems RF EMR and smart meters have caused overseas
• Please put people first - ahead of profit
Any questions?
• We must learn from the lessons of tobacco, lead, asbestos, 2,4,5-T, methyl bromide……
• The Roman Empire destroyed itself with clever but dangerous technology- lead plumbing
• Please don’t let history repeat itself
• Thank you for your time and interest