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Concerns about Safety of Smart Meters. Presentation for Network Tasman 13 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
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Concerns about Safety of Smart Meters Presentation for Network Tasman 13 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 otherbiological 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 melatoninin 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