Smart Meters
The way smart meters relay information in the Southern California Edison service areas is through the use of radio transmitters.
Each smart meter contains two radio transmitters. One of these communicates by sending data to neighboring meters which communicate to collector meters. Data from hundreds of meters works it way through the network to designated meters which then send the data via cell phone frequencies to a nearby cell tower. From there it is sent to SCE. Other utilities also use smart meters on houses but the data is sent to receivers on utility poles and is not communicated house to house.
The second radio transmitter in the smart meter communicates with appliances within your home. New stoves, refrigerators, washing machines and other appliances contain radio transmitters which communicate power usage to the smart meter. Concerns have been raised about privacy and how secure this data would be. SCE smart meters do not have this transmitter activated at this time. (Click HERE for video information.)
The radio frequency radiation (RFR) emitted by the smart meters is similar to other commonly used wireless devices. However, smart meter transmissions are not continuous, but have microbursts of RFR every few seconds to few minutes. Researchers state it is the short, powerful pulsed bursts of RFR that may be causing ringing in the ears, headaches, insomnia, rashes, head pressure, memory loss, dizziness, weakness, “brain fog” and other symptoms when smart meters are installed. (Click HERE for video information.)
On April 12, 2012, The American Academy of Environmental Medicine released its position PAPER on electromagnetic field and radio frequency radiation health effects, calling for immediate caution regarding smart meter installations. Citing peer-reviewed scientific studies, the AACM concludes that “significant harmful biological effects occur from non-thermal RFR exposure” showing causality. The AACM recommends “use of safer technology, including for ‘Smart Meters’, such as hard-wiring, fiber optics or other non-harmful methods of data transmission.”
In a recent policy REPORT, the National Institute for Science, Law & Public Policy questions the wisdom of the multi-billion dollar federal subsidy for smart meters that do not benefit ratepayers, or support economic growth, but primarily benefits meter and meter networking manufacturers. Investments with tax dollar stimulus funding have been made in technologies that serve the short-term economic interests of the utility industry and its suppliers instead of the interests of a true smart grid which could economically integrate renewable technologies and distribute, or decentralize, power generation.
Also see: Smart Meters: Correcting the Gross Misinformation