Dr. David Carpenter, Public Health Physician, Warns of Smart Meter Dangers

Posted on January 27, 2012 by melissalevine
Posted in analog meters, Health Impact, Science, Smart Meters | Leave a comment

“Before SimpleLink Tai’s Bike Rides Lacked Information” (But at Least He Still Had a Brain)

Posted on January 25, 2012 by melissalevine

The government and industry are not just irradiating the public via Smart Meters, but they are also rolling out “smart” appliances,” which will each contain within them a radiation emitting RF transmitter.  You will, if you are unaware, be bringing radiation, along with your new washer, dryer or refrigerator, right into your home.  These appliances’ emissions will then mix with your wi fi, cordless phones and other devices creating a radiation soup.  As Dr. Martin Blank of Columbia University has said, “People must realize that even though they cannot see it or feel it—that it’s having its effect and that these effects are cumulative, many are slow acting, and that you really can’t beat it.”

In this promotional cartoon, Texas Instruments discusses an RF chip  they have developed which will, as Chris Davies wrote in Slash Gear,  allow  “every electronic device” in your home to “communicate with each other in a mesh of digital linkery.”

One example the TI cartoon gives is of a bicyclist whose bike rides (without their new chip)  “lacked information.” (They show him riding off a cliff.)  With the new TI chip, however, the bicyclist can know exactly which way to turn his bike.  The irony, of course, is that all this radiation we will be exposed to in the new “magical world of wireless” can, studies have found, damage cognition so we (our brains) may very well need this technological assist.”

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Perhaps in the new “magical world of wireless,” we’ll be singing this tune:


Posted in Health Impact, Science, Radiation, Wireless Ubiquitous | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Physicians’ Group (American Academy of Environmental Medicine) Adopts Resolution Against Smart Meters

Posted on January 23, 2012 by melissalevine

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine “an international association of physicians and other professionals” has in a letter released January 19, 2012, and sent to the CPUC called for an immediate moratorium on wireless Smart Meters.  They state in their letter (reprinted without masthead below) the FCC guidelines because they are “obsolete” are “inadequate for use in establishing public health standards.”
Says Cindy Sage, “This represents the first national physicians’ group to look in-depth at wireless  health risks; and to advise the public and decision-makers about preventative public health actions that are necessary.”

January 19, 2012
Proposed Decision of Commissioner Peevey (Mailed 1/22/2012)
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
on the proposed decision 11-03-014

Dear Commissioners:

The Board of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine opposes the installation of wireless “smart meters” in homes and schools based on a scientific assessment of the current medical literature (references available on request).  Chronic exposure to wireless radiofrequency radiation is a preventable environmental hazard that is sufficiently well documented to warrant immediate preventative public health action.

As representatives of physician specialists in the field of environmental medicine, we have an obligation to urge precaution when sufficient scientific and medical evidence suggests health risks which can potentially affect large populations.  The literature raises serious concern regarding the levels of radio frequency (RF – 3 KHz – 300 GHz) or extremely low frequency (ELF – o- 300 Hz) exposures produced by “smart meters” to warrant an immediate and complete moratorium on their use and deployment until further study can be performed.  The board of the American Board of Environmental Medicine wishes to point out that existing FCC guidelines for RF safety that have been used to justify installation of “smart meters” only look at thermal tissue damage and are obsolete, since many modern studies show metabolic and genomic damage from RF and ELF exposures below the level of intensity which heats tissues.  The FCC guidelines are therefore inadequate for use in establishing public health standards.  More modern literature shows medically and biologically significant effects of RF and ELF at lower energy densities.  These effects accumulate over time, which is an important consideration given the chronic nature of exposure from “smart meters”. The current medical literature raises credible questions about genetic and cellular effects, hormonal effects, male fertility, blood/brain barrier damage and increased risk of certain types of cancers from RF or ELF levels similar to those emitted from “smart meters”.  Children are placed at particular risk for altered brain development, and impaired learning and behavior.  Further EMF/RF adds synergistic effects to the damage observed from a range of toxic chemicals.  Given the widespread, chronic and essentially inescapable ELF/RF exposure of everyone living near a “smart meter”,  the Board of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine finds it unacceptable from a public health standpoint to implement this technology until these serious medical concerns are resolved.  We consider a moratorium on installation of wireless “smart meters” to be an issue of the highest importance.

The Board of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine also wishes to note that the US NIEHS National Toxicology Program in 1999 cited radiofrequency radiation as a potential carcinogen.  Existing safety limits for pulsed RF were termed “not protective of public health” by the Radiofrequency Interagency Working Group (a federal interagency working group including the FDA, FCC, OSHA, the EPA and others).  Emissions given off by “smart meters” have been classified by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Possible Human Carcinogen.

Hence, we call for:

•  An immediate moratorium on “smart meter” installation until these serious public
health issues are resolved.  Continuing with their installation would be extremely
irresponsible.

•  Modify the revised proposed decision to include hearings on health impact in the
second proceedings, along with cost evaluation and community wide opt-out.

•  Provide immediate relief to those requesting it and restore the analog meters.

Members of the Board
American Academy of Environmental Medicine

Posted in FCC Standards, Radiation, Health Impact, Science, Smart Meters | 1 Comment

Caught on Tape: Smart Meters FCC Violation

Posted on January 9, 2012 by melissalevine
Posted in FCC Standards, Radiation | Leave a comment

My Letter, Sort of (Cell Phones and Children)

Posted on January 9, 2012 by melissalevine

My husband called me from work this morning and asked me if I had read Time magazine. I said,”Yes.” “Did you read it thoroughly?” he asked.  He told me one of his colleagues saw my letter.  I’m grateful they published any letter with a caution about cell phone use and children, but their editing of my writing was quite loose.  No wonder I didn’t notice “my” letter. 

What Time Published [Jan 16].

The Year Ahead.
In “Fearing Well,” Jeff Wise tells us what we should–and shouldn’t–worry about in 2012 [Jan.9].  But he underestimates potential dangers of cell-phone use by relying on “numerous studies[that] have found no convincing evidence of health risks.” Sometimes we need to be more fearful of the long-term danger of low-level exposure (and more skeptical when large corporations are putting out information that is helpful to their bottom line).  In the case of cell phones’ non-ionizing radiation and its possible effects–particularly on our children’s developing brains and bodies–this fear could be crucial.” –Melissa Levine, Irvine, Calif.

The letter I actually sent in: 

This is in regards to Jeff Wise’s article on page 36 of January 9, 2012 print edition, his comment on cell phones:

Dear Editor,
I would say this article by Jeff Wise proves his point.   He is underestimating without doing the research that the use of cell phones is safe. I think he is “misjudging risk” by relying on vague knowledge of studies without considering that many of those studies were conducted by a trillion dollar industry with vested interests.
    The World Health Organization last May classified RF radiation as a class 2b possible carcinogenic.  Their decision was partly based on “high quality” studies by Dr. Hardell which showed an increased risk of “gliomas” (brain cancer).  There are actually numerous studies by independent scientists (peer reviewed and replicated) which show risks and biological effects from RF radiation to people and animals.   These include a weakening of the blood brain barrier which  causes it to be more permeable and allows toxins to enter (thus possibly contributing to dementia) and double strand DNA breakage.  Dr. Adlkofer who was head of the EU funded REFLEX studies (which found genotoxic effects from RF) said in a recent talk at Harvard that the FCC limits, which the public looks to for guidance, are based on “pseudo science” as they don’t take into account long term effects.
In contrast to what Mr. Wise says, most people do not “fear” cell phones or the radiation they emit.  They even, unfortunately, allow their young children to use them and as Mr. Wise apparently does not know children are more vulnerable to RF radiation; it goes deeper into their brains; their cells divide more rapidly; they absorb more of it as they have more liquid in their brain.
    Australia recently reported there has been a 21% increase in brain cancer and brain cancer has overtaken leukemia as the highest type of cancers among children.
So Mr. Wise’s points are correct: Sometimes we need to be more fearful (or I would say work to educate ourselves even when large corporations are putting out incorrect information) of these less immediate or visible dangers.  In the case of RF radiation and and its  possible effects, not only on our children, but on future generations,  this could be crucial.

Melissa Levine, StopSmartMetersIrvine.com
Irvine, CA

Posted in Cell Phones, Impact on Children, media blackout | Leave a comment

Media Blackout on “Smart” Meter News?

Posted on January 1, 2012 by melissalevine

I sent this on 12/17/11 to twenty five reporters and editors on staff at the Los Angeles Times.  I decided to wait to see if I got a reply before sharing it.  They did not reply, but perhaps they read the letter.  Besides the LA Times, there has been very little coverage of “Smart” Meters by any local media (Orange County Register, Irvine World News; news stations). This is possibly due to newspapers depending on advertising revenue from the utility/wireless industries.

One Point.  After I sent  the letter, I discovered that the reporting on the study of the effect of cell phones on children was even more flawed.  The study actually did show a statistically significant risk of brain cancer from cell phones for children.

Hello Ms. Healy and Editors of LA Times,
I just recently started researching the effects of RF electromagnetic radiation since “smart” meters were installed in my neighborhood–and so I came across your (Ms Healy’s) article on cell phones and children. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/28/news/la-heb-cellphones-kids-cancer-20110728.   I was surprised when I read it that you didn’t mention that brain cancer can have a very long latency period.  So, although that was a study about children and brain cancer, from my newcomer’s understanding, if the study artificially shortens the latency period, the  researcher might not see much of an effect.

I recommend that you look at the web site Microwave News which is run by Louis Slesin, who is a PhD.  In this issue
http://dos-protect.com/index-2.html  Dr. Slesin notes  a study which did a similar analysis:   Slesin writes  “. . .and here comes perhaps the strangest part of their argument— because the most likely average latency time between exposure and the manifestation of a brain tumor is 5-10 years. Most everyone else puts the latency at 20-30 years, or at the very least more than 10 years.”

What I also find concerning is the almost “wide-eyed stance” that you and other LA Times writers seem to take regarding non thermal effects from RF radiation.  The  article which mentioned the Turkey studies http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/23/news/la-heb-cellphones-pregnancy-teens-20110523, discussed them as if non thermal physiological effects were brand new information–when there have been studies on this for the past 40 years.   It has been known, for example, for decades that exposure to RF radiation (as little as two hours) can make the blood brain barrier more permeable–which then allows toxins and other matter to cross it.

I also have noticed in LA Times articles on this topic (and Smart Meters) that when the LA Times talks about studies, they do not distinguish between studies which are sponsored by industry and studies which are independent.  The Times does the same when they discuss “scientists.”

This is a real problem, and this misinforms the reader.

I also see in the LA Times a rush to reassure and diminish any studies which show health effects–such as the article which went to press on June 1, 2011, the day after WHO declared RF radiation as a “class 2b possible carcinogen.”  In that article http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/01/news/la-heb-cellphones-cancer-20110601, the LA Times was quick to compare this new classification as no more dangerous than  drinking “coffee.”   The WHO classification, actually, was a “big deal” [“decisive” said Dr. Adlkofer who headed the EU REFLEX studies], but you wouldn’t know it from reading The Times.

Regarding Smart Meters,  I have little to say–because your paper has published so little about this topic.  It’s almost as if there’s been a media black out. As a result of the lack of coverage, many people do not even know that the “upgrade” that Edison installed on their homes is actually a microwave transmitter.  This, of course, allows Edison to say that the installment of “smart” meters in Southern California has gone “smoothly.”

In the one recent article/editorial that your paper did on “smart” meters, it was authored by someone who had interned for the CPUC, not exactly a pro consumer governmental body. (It’s headed by the former president of Southern California Edison.)

I think the LA Times’ reputation as an independent newspaper could be harmed if this continues to be how Electromagnetic Radio Frequency radiation which is increasingly blanketing our environment is covered.   The new “Smart Grid” system means that there will be “smart” appliances which will come with RF radiation emitting transmitters, creating even more exposure.

At no peace time ever, in the history of human’s existence on this planet, have we lived in such a man-made radiation soup.  It’s worthy of much more in-depth analysis and coverage.

Melissa Levine
Irvine, California

Posted in Cell Phones, Health Impact, Science, media blackout, Smart Meters | 5 Comments

Dariusz Leszcynski’s Washington Times Series on Cell Phone Radiation

Posted on December 25, 2011 by melissalevine

Dariusz Leszcynski is currently writing a very interesting series of articles in the Washington Times about cell phones, the precautionary principle, bogus industry studies–the whole RF-EMF topic.  He was “one of the 30 experts invited by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer to evaluate whether cell phone radiation can cause brain cancer.”  He also will write in the comments section of his own article,  and some well known authors/researchers in the field (such as Lloyd Morgan) also give feedback. It makes for a very intelligent and interesting discussion.

December 19, 2011.  The Million Dollar Question: What is the Risk of Brain Cancer from Cell Phone Radiation?

December 16, 2011: Why are Epidemiologists (mis)leading us about Cell Phone Radiation Exposure?

December 13,2011. Is There a Health Risk From Cell Phone Radiation?

December 4, 2011. Cell Phone Radiation: Why More Research is Needed.

Posted in Cell Phones, Health Impact, Science | 1 Comment

Dr. Dan Harper Discusses Health Impact of Electromagnetic Fields

Posted on December 20, 2011 by melissalevine

Dr. Harper Quote:  “We are becoming a generation that’s got pre-senile dementia being cared for by a younger generation that’s going to be plagued by brain cancer.”

Posted in Cell Phones, Field Tests/RF Analyzer, Health Impact, Science, Radiation | Leave a comment

Health Effects From Smart Meters? Utility Industry Gets a Free Pass from the FCC

Posted on December 18, 2011 by melissalevine

The many letters submitted in response to last January’s (2011) flawed CCST report on “smart” meters are a good place to look if one wants to hear different perspectives regarding the health effects from “smart” meters. However, one soon sees, it is not really a debate of different views of science but rather between science and special interests doing their best to obfuscate or deny science.

Almost every letter in favor of “smart” meters was written by someone with financial ties to the industry, including one written by an engineer, whose name I recognized, who is often brought in by the City of Irvine or the wireless companies, to counter citizens’ concerns about cell towers. If there is any convincing evidence that this radiation is safe, I’m sure we would all be happy to see it.

What I encounter from the three utility companies’ letters, for example, is a kind of brute force disregard for the public’s health. They are legalistic letters which claim that the radiation from “smart” meters is safe, that it is not cumulative and that there is no such thing as different people having different reactions or health susceptibilities to it.

They based their claims on FCC standards which go back to science from the Eisenhower administration (1953) and which do not acknowledge non thermal effects. At that time, the military (because of national security issues) had a need to have higher levels of permitted standards and so disregarded and/or downplayed health risks. The FCC standards only cover short term exposure (6-30 minutes) to thermal levels which determine how long it would take to cook tissue. This is far different from the ongoing (as many as 24,000 times in a 24 hour period) sharp, pulsed spikes of non thermal radiation which “smart” meters emit.

The Russians, whose standards for the general public are 100 times lower than the U.S., have done more extensive research in the past 60 years on the effects of radiofrequency radiation. The Russian Academy of Scientists, for example, just recently released results of a four year study, which showed “serious cognitive decline” in children who used cell phones.

Another example, an infamous one, of the Russian’s work with RF radiation (which the U.S. government knew about half way through but didn’t inform their own personnel) was when from 1953 to 1975 they aimed very low levels of pulsed microwave radiation (lower than what is emitted from many devices such as cell phones and smart meters we are exposed to today) at the American Embassy in Moscow. Three ambassadors came down with leukemia; two died; 1/3 of the workers in the embassy had “leukocyte and chromosome” damage and were given hardship benefits.

Dr. Franz Adlkofer who headed REFLEX (an EU funded research study on the effects of RF radiation which involved ten different laboratories in half a dozen countries and which found genotoxic effects) said on 11/18/11 in a talk at Harvard the current standards (which the utility companies and CPUC happily defer to), because they ignore long term effects, are “pseudo science.”

It’s, of course, an inconvenient truth for the utility companies that growing evidence of deleterious long term effects from non ionizing radiation is happening at the advent of their Smart Meter program—and definitely inconvenient for the ratepayers, some of whom have been faced with the choice of being sickened from “Smart” meters or having their power turned off.  The scientific evidence is, to use Devra Davis’ phrase, at such “a tipping point” that even the World Health Organization (which also has industry ties) finally (almost 21 years after this was recommended by the EPA) classified radio frequency electromagnetic radiation as a class 2B possible carcinogen.

Dr. Adlkofer, who called the WHO classification “decisive” goes on to say that had WHO considered the results of the REFLEX study which showed “changes in structure and function of genes in isolated human cells but also living animals” the classification of RF electromagnetic radiation “would not have been possibly carcinogenic but rather probably carcinogenic” (one grade higher).

The pharmaceutical industry when they want to introduce a new drug has an obligation, before it is approved, to show that it is safe. The utility companies, however, with their denial and paid experts, and with the help of the FCC, a licensing agency whose interests are not to protect health but to promote industry (similar to the goals of the CCST) have gotten a free pass.

Posted in Edison (SCE), FCC Standards, Radiation, How This Happened, History, Radiation, Southern California Edison, What Edison Says and doesn't Say | Leave a comment

“We’re Having A Dicken’s Moment.” Santa Cruz Board Grills PG&E For Shutting Off Power to Customers Made Sick From Smart Meters

Posted on December 15, 2011 by melissalevine
Posted in "Opt Out" Issues, Health, Personal Stories, PG&E, Smart Meters | Leave a comment

Update: Irvine City Council Meeting Tonight, Joshua Hart’s Article, Opt Out Issues

Posted on December 13, 2011 by melissalevine

If you can, please come to  Irvine City Council Meeting tonight, 12/13/11:  Public Comments could be any time after 5 PM.  I agree with author B. Blake Levitt that we need to hold all our elected officials accountable.

See Joshua Hart’s new piece on StopSmartMeters.org: PGE Shuts Off Power to Sickened Families 2 Weeks Before Christmas.  The illustration will make you chuckle, but the article says if there is a ruling that residents cannot keep their analogs (even if feisty residents chase installers off their property; see “Smart Meter Man Chased off Property“),  the utility companies will shut off your power.
This is why it is important to speak up now  (http://smartmeterhelp.com/) about the extremely flawed “opt out” proposal, which serves the utility company’s interests, but not rate payers.

***

Problems with the Currently Proposed “Opt Out” Option

Here are two links to filings by the City and County of San Francisco (they protest the “one sided” aspect of the ruling and also find the fees “arbitrary,” intended to “dissuade” customers from opting out); and the County of Lake (which discusses health issues, no accommodation for persons who are disabled, findings that the Smart Meters violate FCC standards, fees, etc)

In addition, many residents are sending in comments to the CPUC regarding Commissioner Peevey’s Opt Out Proposal.  The  following letter written by a college professor  is helpful as it bullet points many of the flaws of the proposal:

Subject: CPUC Application 11-03-014 Smart Meter Opt-Out Comment:

The CPUC opt-out options do NOT respond to the objections of the California residents, cities and counties that requested the opt-out.

1. The RF radiation transmissions are NOT eliminated by either of the two meter options proposed by the CPUC.  Both the digital meter and the smart meter, even with its transmitter shut off as proposed by the CPUC, emit RF Radiation.

2. The analog meter is the option requested by most requesting the opt-out.  The State of Maine has allowed keeping the analog meter.  That analog meter option should also be allowed in California since California has no conditions or intentions to offer any less freedom of choice or quality of life than the State of Maine.

3. The Federal Government in its Energy programs and all other programs does NOT mandate digital meters or smart meters.  The US government specifically says to “OFFER” these smart meters to customers, NOT to mandate Continue reading →

Posted in "Opt Out" Issues, Smart Meters | Leave a comment

Radiation Exposure from a Smart Meter is 100 times Higher than from a Cell Phone

Posted on December 10, 2011 by melissalevine

This interview (see below) with Daniel Hirsch, a nuclear scientist from UC Santa Cruz, discusses how last January’s CCST report which was meant to be an “independent science based report” on “smart” meters  instead  “just reproduced claims” from the utility company’s funded report.  The PG&E funded report had flawed comparison data between “smart” meters and cell phone exposures, which then were used to falsely claim that  radiation exposure from a “smart” meter was much lower than that from a cell phone.   When the error was corrected, however, Dr. Hirsch says, it showed that exposure to radiation from a “smart” meter is actually 100 times higher than a cell phone.
Dr. Hirsch also submitted a report to the CCST on this which can be found here.

Posted in Health Impact, Science, Radiation, Smart Meters | Leave a comment

Partial Listing of the BioEffects of RF Radiation (from B. Blake Levitt)

Posted on December 9, 2011 by melissalevine

The following is a direct quote from  B. Blake Levitt’s 1995 book Electromagnetic Fields  about the bioeffects of radio frequencies.  It is only one paragraph out of many pages where she discusses bioeffects.  I am quoting the paragraph because it is such a well written synopsis of effects of RF and also because of the stark contrast (see discussion of SoCalGas Fact sheet, for example) to the claims by the utility companies that there are no effects.

From Electromagnetic Fields, by B. Blake Levitt:
In humans, EMFs in various frequencies have been found to adversely affect calcium binding at the cell surface, DNA synthesis, and cell division; to alter circadian rhythms, affect or alter some important enzyme activities, and affect specific glands like the pineal and the hypothalamus area of the brain, as well as the production of certain neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine; to increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier; to create artificial stress responses; to overstimulate the immune system initially, then suppress and decrease T-lymphocyte production; and to promote malignant tumor growth with particular concentrations in the central nervous system, in the blood and skeletal systems, and in glandular tissue.  The eyes, the brain, and the testes seem to be especially prone to abnormal effects from the RF frequencies.  The eye serves to amplify some RF/MW frequencies, which is probably why increases in posterior cataracts have been observed in some microwave workers. (Microwaves are also known to increase drug sensitivity in people taking glaucoma medication.) The testes are very close to the body’s surface, which is probably why increases in testicular cancer have been reported in law-enforcement officers who have rested functioning radar guns in their laps. In addition, it appears that the human anatomy has specific windows of sensitivity at which certain bioeffects have been repeatedly observed, but not at other frequencies.” (356-357)

Posted in B. Blake Levitt, Health Impact, Science | Leave a comment

Civil Disobedience to Protect Their Health: Northern Californian Residents Return Their Smart Meters

Posted on December 8, 2011 by melissalevine

When PG&E refused to remove their “smart” meters after they complained about health effects, a group of residents from Capitola, California, decided their utility company did not have the right to “sicken” them and hired a professional electrician to replace their smart meters with analogs.  The residents then returned the smart meters, PG&E’s property, to the utility company.  See StopSmartMeters.org for the full story. PG&E has responded by saying it will turn off their power, including to the residence of a 75 year old woman.

Update: As a result of their action and the subsequent bad press PG&E received (see Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors grilling PG&E), PG&E has now agreed to offer an “analog” option.  However, the utility companies want to tack on unprecedented new fees  for an analog–an upfront cost and an additional monthly fee.  Since the utilities received billions of dollars in federal funds and their stockholders will also be receiving “smart” meter dividends from the increased fees they are going to charge customers via their “time of use” pricing, we think that any fee for analog option should be taken from corporate (shareholder) profits. (revised and updated 1/12/12)

Posted in "Opt Out" Issues, Analog Meter, Health, Personal Stories, Smart Meters | 1 Comment

A Double Edged Sword: Radiation In Your Doctor’s Hands? Good. In Your Smart Meter? Dubious

Posted on December 4, 2011 by melissalevine

It seems, at first blush, a little odd that a story about the therapeutic benefits of electromagnetic radiation (in Microwave News this week) instead of reassuring people about low level radiation being safe (as utility companies say) actually confirms worries that Smart Meter opponents have regarding the radiation these meters emit being dangerous.

The story by Louis Slesin discusses studies by a research team “led by Boris Pasche of the University of Alabama medical school” which used non ionizing radiation (at lower levels than a cell phone) to treat cancer.  The first study, released a few months ago, showed how specially modulated EMF could shrink tumors in advanced liver cancer patients, the EMF actually working better than the approved drug used for the disease.  In the second study, published three days ago, in the British Journal of Cancer,  Dr. Pasche  and his team used cell lines, in vitro, which showed that different cancers reacted to different modulated frequencies.  Said Dr. Pasche “So, we now have in vitro findings showing modulation frequency specific effects of hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer), breast cancer and ovarian cancer.”

So how could this completely wonderful and promising new treatment for cancer help confirm or add proof for those of us who are concerned about the deleterious health effects of RF radiation? This is because, of course, to treat or “heal” cancer you need to kill or  “damage” cancer cells. Dr. Pasche and his research group’s work involved using “narrowly defined, specific modulation [EMF] frequencies” which disrupted the “mitotic spindle”(which is in the nucleus of a cell) as well as caused “changes in gene expression,” which is how the cell uses its DNA.  As one pathologist said, “If this radiation can damage the ability of tumor cells to divide, it can also potentially damage the ability of normal cells to divide.”

So Dr. Pasche’s success with cancer patients is further evidence that low level, non thermal radiation, under the right circumstances, can damage cells. That’s good news as a medical treatment prescribed and administered in a doctor’s office, but not necessarily such good news when it is being emitted from a device placed on the side of your house by a utility company.

Posted in Health Impact, Science, Radiation | 2 Comments

Study Shows Cell Phones Exceed FCC Limits by as Much as Double for Children

Posted on December 2, 2011 by melissalevine

Update 2/23/13: The link below no longer works, but to get info on the report, see this ABC article and video. It’s a good link as it has several videos on possible adverse health effects of cell phones.

From Environmental Health Trust site:

“A scholarly article on cell phone safety published online October 17, 2011, in the journal Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine reports the finding that cell phones used in the shirt or pants pocket exceed FCC exposure guidelines and that children absorb twice as much microwave radiation from phones as do adults.”  (continue reading full article here)

Posted in Cell Phones, FCC Standards, Radiation, Health Impact, Science, Impact on Children | Leave a comment

Cindy Sage Says Smart Meters are Not Meeting FCC Standards

Posted on November 28, 2011 by melissalevine

I was on the phone with the CPUC public advisor this morning and to everything I said–such as double strand DNA breaks, crossing blood brain barrier or even the World Health Organization’s declaration of RF radiation being possibly carcinogenic–the advisor just said “It meets the FCC standards”; so  this e-mail  (from EMF SafetyNetwork website) which just came in, felt like a relief as Cindy is saying “Hey, wait a minute . . .”

***

A few Points which stood out from my reading.  To read the entire article and Sage’s report, please see the link above.

On the Dangers to the Public, especially Children who play at home and in their yards.  Sage writes: “What is most concerning is that these meters can be accessible directly at and near the face plate of the meter, so that the public cannot be restricted (these are on private property and all areas around the meter are private property that can be assumed to be accessible by both children and adults). Such access virtually guarantees that violations will occur. Access is not a controllable situation since these meters are on private property of every ratepayer, and accessible to the general public, including children playing in their backyards, side yards, or inside their home. . . .  the FCC has no way to prevent harmful exposures (those which exceed federal safety limits as defined by the FCC).”

Sage’s Recommendation: “Deploying millions of wireless utility meters on such limited testing and questionable assertions of safety is unwise. Given that RF has recently been classified as a Possible Human Carcinogen, and this wireless utility meter initiative imposes the most extensive RF blanket yet created over every living resident that is electrified, ratepayers and the decision-makers will not know what irretrievable commitments of health and resources have been made until it is too late. Where even the best industry study cannot give more reliable and defensible evidence of compliance with FCC safety limits, public utility commissions should halt the rollout, pending demonstration that RF emissions meet FCC public safety limits under a reasonable worst-case assessment as determined by FCC OET 65 formulas.”

Posted in FCC Standards, Radiation, Smart Meters, Effect on Children | 1 Comment

Once the Meters are in, Who Cares Whom They Radiate? “That’s Not My Department,” Says “Wernher Von” Peevey

Posted on November 26, 2011 by melissalevine

“In advocating for adoption of an analog meter opt-out option, various parties have asserted that this option is necessary due to the alleged effect of RF emissions on human health. However, the issue of whether RF emissions from Smart Meters have an effect on individuals is outside the scope of this proceeding. . . .More importantly, the alleged effect of RF emissions on health is not material to the resolution of this application. . . .We are also unconvinced by Lake’s arguments that the installation of Smart Meters is subject to environmental review under CEQA. These allegations are based on unsupported assertions regarding the impact of RF emissions on the environment. As we have already stated,  this Commission is not charged with establishing the standards for RF emissions, nor is it responsible for determining the level at which RF emissions would be considered to adversely affect the environment.”–-Michael Peevey, President of CPUC   (past president of Southern California Edison), 11/22/11 proposal for customers to have a “radio off,” but still radiation emitting, “Smart” Meter.

Posted in CPUC/Complaints | Leave a comment

My New Printer: Don’t Believe the Salesperson

Posted on November 24, 2011 by melissalevine

I just purchased a new printer (an HP Office Jet Pro 8600) because my wired printer went on the blink.  They only had “wireless.”  The saleperson, though, told me that I could use it as a wired printer.  Just use a cable,  and it couldn’t emit any RF radiation, he told me, as it needed a wi fi (which we don’t have) for the “wireless” component to be activated.

So I took the printer out of its box and plugged it into the wall, and then went to the garage to get the RF Analyzer.  While I was in the garage I turned the analyzer on, and I didn’t pick up a reading.  But as I walked to the front of the garage, the readings started to jump slightly to 11. Hmmm, I thought, perhaps it’s the “smart” meter or the flourescent light.  Then I got closer to the water heater and the numbers jumped above 100.   I didn’t know our water heaters emitted RF.  I waved the analyzer by the new refrigerator, which was next to the water heater, and the analyzer went past 200.  Perhaps  they have already started to put those RF chips in the new appliances?  This is something to tell the e-mail list.

I went inside, but the analyzer was still giving off readings in the kitchen nook area and the family room.  I continued walking toward that plugged in wireless printer on the other side of the room, and the numbers got very high, past 900 and then they blanked, which they do when they are too high (as I need an adapter).  I unplugged the printer, and all the numbers went down to 003,  which is the zero place for the analyzer (except for a 10 and 14 when I checked the garage again, coming from either the flourescent light or neighbor’s smart meter).

Okay. What’ s interesting about this is that a wireless printer,  which was just plugged into the wall, and turned on, but not printing and not connected to my computer or some kind of wi fi, was emitting a very high ongoing amount of radiation, similar to a cordless phone base, so high that it travelled through the walls into other rooms in the house and even out to the garage.

Posted in Field Tests/RF Analyzer, Wireless Ubiquitous | 3 Comments

CPUC Judge Shuts Down Video Smart Meter Workshop; Also Repeater Transmitters

Posted on November 24, 2011 by melissalevine

I’m viewing on tape the CPUC  Smart Meter Workshop which was overseen by Judge Amy Yip-Kikugawa (to view, scroll down to video, part one, dated 9/14/11). It’s a workshop to explore opt out options for the Smart Meters.   At 1:42 a gentleman gets up to make a statement and ask a question.  Judge Yip-Kikugawa interrupts him almost immediately,  won’t let him even get his point out (it is a public meeting).   He continues to try to speak, and she turns off his microphone.  Then she shuts down the video.

Susan Brinchman has an excellent article on this workshop here.

Repeater Transmitters

I haven’t finished viewing this tape yet. But an important question was asked which we need to be aware of.    You would think that when we opt out of the Smart Meter (and if we are allowed to keep our analog meters) that then the RF radiation issue would be diminished, right?

However,  the utility companies are going to install “repeater transmitters” on their “utility rights of ways.”  They actually, I think, are already doing this.  This is because, for example, my neighbor’s smart meter at the end of the block can’t relay over the ridgeline to our other neighbors, all of which, Edison has told me, are part of the same mesh network.

So where will those radiation emitting “repeater transmitters” be located?   Also, where, in Irvine which has underground powerlines, are the repeater transmitters that they are currently using located?

Posted in "Opt Out" Issues, Smart Meter, Mesh Network | Leave a comment

Another Health Issue with Smart Meters: Dirty Electricity and Switching-Mode Power Supply

Posted on November 23, 2011 by melissalevine

According to Dr. Sam Milham (author “Dirty Electricity”), there is more potential danger from the Smart Meters than the RF radiation.  Here is what he wrote in his letter to the CCST, January 2011:

My hypothesis is easy enough to test. Dirty electricity levels measured in homes, offices and schools should increase after the meters are deployed. Dirty electricity levels measured in the utility drops and in the earth will also increase as the meters are deployed. Since dirty electricity is a potent carcinogen (see attached paper and pp. 78-80 in my book), and causes numerous other health problems, the only way to avoid a public health catastrophe is to send the smart meter information over existing telephone land lines or go back to the analog meters. I’m not making light of or ignoring the RF pollution caused by the smart meters, but think the dirty electricity may be a more serious and intractable problem.

Also see this very helpful article from EON3EMFblog which explains Switching-Mode Power Supply.

Posted in Dirty Electricity, Health Impact, Science | Leave a comment

Peevey’s Peevish Proposal

Posted on November 23, 2011 by melissalevine

First Impressions of Peevey’s Proposal

To see Peevey’s (former executive of Southern California Edison) proposal see this link.  It has some troubling aspects. It looks like they will not allow the return of the analog meters, which are completely safe. They will probably, if this goes, remove our analog meters, whether we like it or not, and replace them with what they call a “radio off” meter.

However, the “radio” is already off most of the day on the regular Smart Meters, according to a SCE technician (Eric) I talked to a couple weeks ago.  The “radio” is off, but the radiation is on and on. . . . Continue reading →

Posted in "Opt Out" Issues, CPUC/Complaints | Leave a comment

Updates and Links, 11/23/11

Posted on November 23, 2011 by melissalevine

11/23/11
Here is a link to an article in Stop Smart Meters.org by Josh Hart about certain established environmental groups such as The Sierra Club  and The Environmental Defense Fund and their promotion of the electrosmog creating Smart Grid (even against wishes of their grassroots members).  There are some financials ties that some of these groups have with the Smart Grid roll out.  I will write more about this later, but I wanted to highlight this for others especially in Southern California doing research.

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Here is Link to Irvine City Council 11/22/11.  I spoke about Smart Meters and Health Issues.  Scroll to 1:01 on the video.

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 Article in San Francisco paper about the CPUC’s proposal to charge people to have a powered down Smart Meter.   This meter will also emit Continue reading →

Posted in "Opt Out" Issues, CPUC/Complaints, Elected Officials, City Council, Follow the Money, Health Impact, Science, What Edison Says and doesn't Say | Leave a comment

Irvine City Council Meeting, Tuesday, 11/22/11

Posted on November 21, 2011 by melissalevine

I wanted to remind everyone that the Irvine City Council
will meet this Tuesday. After this, they will meet only once more in December, and then they are off for the rest of the year. I urge everyone who is concerned about Smart
Meters to please come and speak at “Public Comments.”

The City Council DID NOT choose to put this topic on the agenda. Except for Larry Agran’s comments last month, I have not received any feedback from any of the other councilmembers about where they stand on Smart Meters.

It was quite ironic at the October 25th City Council meeting
because some on the council wanted to pass what they call a “healthy and green initiative” for the City of Irvine. At that meeting there were about eight people (I think they were in the medical field) who showed up to speak about this. Then councilmember Beth Krom gave a speech about how this was so important for Irvine, that our residents get out
and use the trails (that is go walking); and that we fight childhood obesity.

This optimistic discussion was going on while and immediately after speakers brought up their concerns about the 24/7 pulsed radiation from Edison’s Smart Meters.
It was almost like being in two universes. It seems to me that if the council is truly interested in a healthy green Irvine, they would also be extremely concerned about Smart Meters, and they would be actively engaged in stopping this. Perhaps some of them are.

But I also think that when residents SHOW UP at the meeting–or, if they can’t do that, send e-mails–that this definitely gets their attention. If we don’t do this, then we are stuck. Edison, if you saw my post, was even given an additional 40 million dollars in Federal grants to make Irvine a “Living Laboratory” for this Smart Grid. So there are a lot of monied interests in Irvine’s Smart Grid.

However, I feel I need to advise you that we don’t want to be stuck with this. Smart Meters, whatever public relations spin you may hear, are not something that is good for our city.   Independent, peer reviewed scientific studies have found that the same type of radiation that Smart Meters emit can, among other effects, breach the blood brain barrier; cause DNA strand breaks; and damage our genes (“genotoxic”). Some of these “effects” have been known for decades and been covered up. But they all have been replicated.

I just viewed the Burbank City Council Meeting from 11/15/11. They had some really good speakers, including Jerry Day. Also present–he had flown down from up north–was a co-author of a CCST “independent” report on Smart Meters that was released last January.  The writers of that report have blown off health concerns,  another of its lead authors on a radio program even going so far as to call people who had such concerns “believers in ghosts.” When they wrote their report they asked for feedback from respected researchers and then when those researchers gave them feedback expressing concerns about the non thermal effects of RF radiation they kept their  comments out of the report. When their report was published, however, it received letters from scientists all over the world** protesting its “conclusions.”

The scientist, who flew down from up north, is named Macari and he told the Burbank City Council that Smart Meters absolutely do not emit radiation 24/7. But anyone with an analyzer can see that this is completely incorrect. (Also the utility companies themselves are saying they do.) Dr. Macari also referred to researchers in the EMF field (biophysicists and PHD’s) as the “EMF lobby.”

Afterwards, I looked up Macari’s specialty and found he has written papers on “soil mechanics,” “pavement materials” and “the carpet industry.” There were no papers on public health or EMF’s. So this guy is determining the health of Californians and part of a report committee which blocked scientists who are specialists in EMF.

Public Comments, if you can make it, are usually heard at about 6:30 PM.

**This CCST link might ask you to log in; ignore, press again, and it will take you to the letters anyway (from many different sides).

Posted in general | Leave a comment

Shielding: Use Caution

Posted on November 19, 2011 by melissalevine

Another blogger asked about shielding in the”Take Action” section, and I thought I would post a precaution.    Shielding  the radiation from Smart Meters can be tricky, so I recommend that anyone who tries this get advice from an expert and also test before and after with an RF analyzer.

The StopSmartMeters.org site has a whole section on this, and they also advise using caution.

Also, I like this YouTube video because it shows both how an aluminum screen can deflect the radiation but also, in certain cases,  attract radiation back toward you:

Posted in Shielding, Smart Meters | Leave a comment