An independent report released Tuesday on the health effects of SmartMeters found that the wireless devices, when properly installed and maintained, “result in much smaller levels of radio frequency (RF) exposure than many existing common household electronic devices, particularly cell phones and microwave ovens.”
The 50-page report by the California Council on Science and Technology comes amid growing protests by consumers concerned about the health effects of the meters. PG&E is installing SmartMeters throughout Northern California, and the utility has met growing resistance from Bay Area consumers who fear the meters have a negative impact on their health and increase their risk of brain cancer.
Many consumers want an ability to opt out of having a SmartMeter installed in their home. Two women were arrested Tuesday attempting to block trucks carrying SmartMeters in Sonoma County.
The California Council on Science and Technology is a not-for-profit organization established to offer advice to the state government on science and technology-related policy issues. It found no scientific studies that have confirmed negative health effects from RF emissions such as those produced by SmartMeters and other household electronic devices, but warns that more research is needed.
The report also said that SmartMeters do not need to solely rely on wireless technology, and suggested that consumers could be given “hard-wired” alternatives.
Activists immediately blasted the report.
“People are really getting sick — we’re getting all kinds of anecdotal reports about sleep problems, nausea, headaches and ringing in the ears,” said Sandi Maurer, a Sebastopol resident and co-founder of the EMF Safety Network. “This report simply says that there’s no proof. That’s not reassuring.”
Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-Marin, has pushed legislation that would give consumers the ability to opt out of having the meters installed.
“Whether or not you believe there are health issues, utilities should give consumers complete and accurate information regarding RF emissions from smart meters, and customers should be allowed the alternative of having a hard-wired smart meter,” he said in a statement Tuesday.