Smart meters

I am writing to provide feedback regarding my firsthand health experiences with RF/EMF exposure. Thank you to the HHS for seeking the feedback of individuals, as the current framework for regulating wireless radiation completely ignores the real-world biological experiences of sensitive populations. I have had numerous clear, neurological symptoms that are reliably triggered or exacerbated by heavy exposures of RF/EMF. Specifically, when subjected to elevated wireless environments, I experience a disturbing "foggy head" sensation that makes it difficult to concentrate. Furthermore, I have a long clinical history of migraines with aura. While I have multiple environmental triggers, I have identified heavy doses of EMF as a distinct trigger for these. In our home, we take steps to reduce our exposure, but it has become hard to avoid. The current safety guidelines enforced by the FCC offer no protections for individuals like me, or citizens with concerns, in general. The FCC’s standards, established in 1996, rely entirely on a narrow thermal paradigm. These guidelines assume that wireless radiation is only harmful if it is intense enough to literally heat human tissue. The cognitive fog and migraines I have experienced have occurred at exposure levels below this thermal threshold. This is clear evidence that the federal government's current stance fails to recognize or account for non-thermal biological mechanisms. Low-intensity, chronic RF/EMF exposure exerts systemic, non-thermal biological stress on the human nervous and vascular systems, which directly manifests as neurological symptoms in sensitive individuals, and likely is negatively effecting a lot more people in ways that are not understood. There have been studies linking chronic exposures to elevated blood sugar levels and increased insulin resistance. It also may impact human quality of sleep. These are all huge issues. The HHS should abandon the outdated 1996 thermal-only standard and to develop safety limits that protect citizens from chronic, low-intensity, non-thermal biological and neurological impacts. It should also immediately investigate the specific biological pathways linking RF/EMF exposure to central nervous system disruptions, including focusing on its role as an environmental trigger for migraines, blood-brain barrier permeability, cognitive fog, insulin resistance, and disturbances in sleep patterns. There have already been some studies on these issues, that the relevant government agencies seem to ignore. The FCC, that has commercial deployment goals, should not be the only department to regulate the wireless industry. There needs to be more control given to local populations to say no to continually increasing the population’s exposure to EMF/RF with more and more towers flooding people’s homes and workplaces. Also of concern are the ever increasing number of products used in the home that use and issue wireless radiation (the IoT), including baby monitors and home appliances. We are now in cars loaded with EMF/RF. And, of course, the now pervasive smart meters that emit radiation, not once a month, for billing purposes, but often every 15 minutes, and in some places practically continually. It is grotesque how callously this has and is all rolled out with so little understood about the impacts on human health.

Elderly, fixed income. Smart meter installed, without our consent or permission - we heard banging on the side of the house. Three weeks later, full body rash, extreme itching, which has persisted for seven months now. Requested removal, and replacement with non-smart meter, they (Great Lakes Energy) are demanding $50 per month, $600 a year, which we can not afford. No one will help us.

My comment is on our Smart electricity meter that was required to replace our existing meter on the side of our house. I have personally used an EMF detector and it reads in the red danger zone 3 feet into my living room effectively reducing my living space since we avoid spending any time in that area due to this hazard. We had no choice in the change.

this is all intentional to what I believe is to slowly take us out , and all the wiring these so called smart meters emf is going through your home is absolutely no good for you it was not near as bad with analog meters,and all these do is raise your bills cause it is using all the dirty electric coming to oyur meter and home and billing you for just that electricity you cant and do not use . and if the truth be known all the LED lights that are out there is another part of that plan they do not give off lightwaves that are good for the human body like incandescent bulbs do , another layer to help slowly eliminate population believe it or not leds are not good to have in ones home , has nothing to do with green garbage scam, and if the leds are supposed to help lower energy costs why are those of us that changed all our lights to leds bills triple what they were with incandescent .

In Michigan, Consumer's Energy told us it was our state government that demanded smart meters. Since installation we have had nearly zero cell service or wifi on the end of our home closest to the garage. Had zero issue prior. Dropping calls even. When we called to get our prior meter back, we were told they would be allowing us x amount of energy usage and charging 30% more beyond that, because of "2-7 high demand." But they couldn't prove those hours of use without the smart meter. We were laughed at on the phone when saying we have had disrupted sleep, ears ringing and loss of cell/wifi signal since installation. They actually told us it does not emit signal. Then how do they receive the information?

Years ago I had the smart meter on my house removed as an experiment because of my son having immune issues. I thought it would be worth testing it. I had come to realize that the smart meter was on the outside wall of the kitchen where I spent hours per day. I wasn’t expecting anything noticeable at the time but to my surprise, I personally noticed a big difference! My house became “quieter” in my brain sort of thing. I have also been bothered by certain fan frequencies that can get on my nerves. Since living without a smart meter I no longer notice an underlying agitation that I can’t pinpoint. I also do not use wifi in my house. Everyone should be able to opt out of smart meters and the extra cost to read your meter should be less expensive and regulated. Also putting wifi towers next to public schools should be illegal. I’ve read social media conversations from people who are super sensitive to smart meters and cellular towers.

I have been having many EMF and EMR symptoms since 2011. Many heart symptoms, such as atrial fib and shortness of breath, when around high wifi fields. When the Smart Meter was installed on my house, I had difficulty sleeping. Had to be hospitalized for atrial fib after standing in front of a smart meter for a few minutes. I still cannot sleep if cell phones or any other wifi devices are turned on while sleeping. Aches and pains in my body when exposed to strong wifi fields. Shortness of breath when in restaurants with many smart tv's, so I stay out of restaurants now.

I agree that 5g rollout and smart meters have caused increased negative reactions and adverse health effects. I have developed tachycardia, poor sleep, ringing in the ears and now headaches from this exposure. Utilities that already charge exorbitant prices are putting us at risk while raking in massive profits. Smart meters in particular bring extra regulation into the home and you are penalized if you opt out, or not allowed to opt out at all.

In 2017, after experiencing much discomfort like burning fingers and hands when I used my computer, I hired a Building Biologist to test the house that I lived in. He found several areas where i could make an adjustment to lessen the radiation. I was already paying an additional monthly fee to FPL for having my "Smart Meter' removed. I paid my neighbor to cover her "Smart Meter" since I was receiving a high reading in my house from it. My Prius Hybrid car was also partially disabled electronically. The thing that I could not rectify was the dirty electricity in the wall in 2 areas of the house. No electrician at the time understood what I was talking about. It would cost about $1000. to investigate before any work would be done. I sold my home and purchased a piece of land in the woods. Driving the Prius for 22 years, before that I drove the "Think" all electric car for 36 months and loving electronics, made me more sensitive, I think. I have found relief here "Off Grid", but there is always the need for power in this modern world. Solar panels, batteries, inverter...items I try to keep my distance from. Friend and family think I'm a bit extreme but they do not live in my body.

Please do more research into the health effects of EMF. Our family had had to wire up our house with bo wifi, use faraday cages, and get rid of utility smart meters because it caused massive problems for me with dizziness and head pressure to the point I could not stand. I cannot fly because the massive amount of wifi trapped in the airplane acts like a faraday cage and makes my head feel like it is exploding. This is a REAL issue affecting way more people than you know. As it took me quite a while to figure out the connection and many people never know why they are feeling this way. As wifi towers proliferate the world becomes harder and harder for me to live in.