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