New Study: SmartMeters Exude Less Radiation Than Cell Phones
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - A much anticipated report from the California Council on Science and Technology confirms no significant health impacts from SmartMeters, but some remain skeptical.
The study by the California Council on Science and Technology was commissioned at the request of Assembly members Jared Huffman and Bill Monning. The CCST is an independent non-profit that advises state government on issues of science and technology. CCST Executive Director Susan Hackwood explains that the study compiled scientific literature.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports on the Newly Released Study:
"When these meters are installed and maintained as expected through the utility company they pose no more risk of exposure than any other household device, particularly cell phones," said Hackwook.
Still, the founder of the EMF Safety Network, Sandi Maurer is not convinced.
"I think this is the same rhetoric that the industry has been promoting for decades.
The study did not measure non-thermal impacts of SmartMeters, and Maurer points out that people are reporting sleep problems and headaches associated with SmartMeters.
"We're hopeful that this fact-based report helps to alleviate concerns," said PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno.
The legal push is still on to allow consumers the ability to opt out of having the meters installed.
Meanwhile, PG&E has done something it rarely ever does. It has removed a SmartMeter from a Marin County woman's home, and put her old fashioned meter back in, for now.
Corte Madera resident Jane Levinson said the problem started months ago.
"I have a motion sensor at the corner of the house on the same wall that my electric box is located and that motion sensor started going off and on all night long," said Levinson.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports on PG&E's Unusual Move:
Levinson suspected the havoc was caused by her SmartMeter, and called the motion detectors manufacturer, who confirmed they have received several complaints from California customers.
PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith said the utility has replaced the smart meter with an old meter, saying Levinson's motion detector is too sensitive.
"On very rare occasions there have been situations where there is device interference with some electronic devices," said Smith. "What we wanted to make sure we did in this case is immediately respond to the customer when she called because the motion detector was not operating as intended."
On Tuesday, a 62-year-old Rohnert Park grandmother was arrested after she and nearly a dozen others blocked a semi-truck delivering smart meters to an installer.
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