Smart meters

2. 4j. I am a 68 year-old female individual. Masters degree in Architecture, Registered Architect. I speak simply from my own experience. 3. 3b. My father was a HAM radio buff, so I grew up under those radio waves. Born with a metabolic bone disease, I had more than the usual number of x-rays. For the past 20 years, our family has driven hybrid cars. These things may have contributed to my sensitivity. 3c, e, 4h. For quite some time I have experienced PVCs (Premature Ventricular Contractions), finally diagnosed by a Holter monitor worn several years ago after my Primary Care Physician ran several other tests and found nothing wrong with my heart. These PVCs feel like I’m being “zapped,” and I instinctively cough, trying to regulate my heartbeat. 3a. Recently, they’ve become much more frequent, and I see a strong link to high EMF. Hospital equipment, airport communications, wifi, cell phone signals, high-powered electric lines, and Smart Meters cause the worst issues for me. Solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections exacerbate the PVCs, but not much can be done about that. EMFs have become ubiquitous, though, and are getting harder to avoid. 4k. A classic, but memorable example: When driving up I-95 around New York City last summer, the PVCs and the accompanying cough were constant for nearly an hour, until we were finally past the City and the density of those 5G transmitters. Driving through Vermont was quite pleasant, by contrast. Mountains, trees. Not much traffic. Then suddenly the “zapping” and coughing started again. Sure enough, as the trees cleared, a huge cell tower came into view. And as we left it behind, the zapping subsided. 4k. Eating out has become risky. My husband keeps his phone in airplane mode when I’m near, but when new customers are seated at the next table, it’s not unusual for our pleasant evening to become a nightmare as I am overwhelmed with the “zapping” their smart phones and watches provoke. Meanwhile, they look at me like I have the plague, wondering how I dare come out in public if I’m obviously so contagious. (Sigh.) 4m. Do people REALLY need to have their smartphones on 24/7? Could we encourage people to keep their phones in “airplane mode” unless they actually NEED them? And then there are so many young people that walk around all day with Bluetooth earbuds. I try to keep clear from them as much as I can, but I worry about what they are doing to their own health. 3f. We recently bought a new car. But not a hybrid this time. When out son checked the EMFs for us on test drives, they were extremely high. We settled for a gas-only vehicle… having finally found one that at least MOSTLY lets us turn off the on-board wifi. Such is becoming rare. 3f. My new hearing aids give off three times the EMF of my previous pair, so I wear them only when necessary. If they’re on, they’re searching for Bluetooth. My audiologist has no other options for me. 3f. My only recourse is to avoid situations where I know there will be high levels of EMF. I do like to socialize and be with people, but I find myself becoming a recluse. Our son put a wire mesh over our Smart Meter to reduce its impact, and that helps a bit. We always turn off wifi at night, my husband keeps his smartphone and iPad in airplane mode when not in use, and I turn my CPAP machine to airplane mode when I plug it in. I avoid being online for long periods of time, and stop as I feel the PVCs approach. I hide behind my reflective silver-woven curtains at home to reduce the EMF from the cell tower outside my window, and curl up under my silver-woven blanket and hood at night. I sleep much better with them, as they block enough EMFs from said cell tower that I no longer wake up throughout the night with PVCs. There ARE still occasional times when the silver isn't enough, and I wake up coughing. Later I learn there were Solar Flares or CMEs that night. My silver blanket and hood also help quiet the “buzz” (which eventually leads to PVCs when left unchecked) while waiting at airport gates or when the plane itself has on-board wifi and I’m completely surrounded, but it comes with its share of stares. And the silver fabric only blocks so much. Our culture has been encouraged to have “Smart” Everything. It is expected. And I fear for the long-term consequences that this increased exposure will bring to this next generation.

HHS has Requested Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. As an impacted patient and concerned member of the public, I have been harmed by smart meters from utility EMFs. I was not informed when the utility smart meters were first installed on the other side of my block, but I suddenly began to have severe glaucoma problems with my vision with diagnosis of very serious narrow angle glaucoma with potential for sudden irreversible blindness due to public utility company arbitrary business choices. Electric utility smart meters give off non-ionizing EMF radiation. In California, court records of multiple household members in the same house with glaucoma as well as extremely high 800-900 blood sugar readings requiring ER treatment/hospitalization occurred immediately following installation of electric utility smart meters. Narrow angle glaucoma, unlike the more common open angle glaucoma, can result in immediately permanent loss of eye vision without warning. Open angle can cause permanent loss of eye vision but it happens more slowly over a couple of years, not immediately. As a result, I had to have laser surgery on both eyes to make a hole to release the buildup of fluid that otherwise would cause my sudden and permanent blindness. A few years later I found out that my glaucoma occurred shortly after electric smart meters had been installed on the other side of my block facing the back of my house. Somehow, the local electric utility was able to adopt a more dangerous way to measure its product that harmed residential health but reduced staff, without consulting the affected public, nor informing anyone of the public health dangers, while emphatically denying such problems. Similarly, gas smart meters later were installed on my house recently, after being put on my neighbor's gas meters perhaps 6-7 years back. The gas is owned by MG&E which told me that they would be putting a smart meter on my gas or they would be turning off my heat as an elderly citizen for this coming winter and that would leave me finding my own source of fuel from another vendor. MG&E wouldn't be in business without its takings of public easements from both public and private land, but now it claims its business decision as to the meter it chooses is outside of public input per State PSC and that is not subject to any determination of the best interests of the entire public nor subject to provide any alternative for service objection. They took private property easements to violate those property owners health needs & safety and privacy needs when they digitally throw private data of each residential account into the airwaves where the data can be compromised. Wisconsin has a Public Service Commission controlled by 3 appointed commissioners. The public's best interests are ignored when any utility wants to expand in any way. 98% go against the project for more harm than benefits, but PSC rules for the utililty. This has happened with electric transmission lines, smart meters, and EMFs. Wireless radiation is 24/7 surveillance in large numbers of unnecessary frequency bursts where exposure becomes fairly constant on the other side of a wall where people sleep, eat, or live without regard for damage to their health that likely is increasing cancer, death, and fires. Did these sicknesses exist before man-made EMFs? Review Arthur Firstenberg's books about EMFs who had EMF hypersensitivity and had to move constantly every time EMFs were installed in his living area. He documented with every man-made new technology for communication--telegraph, radio, television, cell phones--that the first time each was turned-on or turned-up, it created a large human death anomoly from its stronger EMF dosage and/or different EMF exposure. It was recorded in the death records, but not reported by the news or the watchers of our society, but this sudden recorded wave of death occurred every time each new or increase in manmade EMF technology was turned on. Public accountability was fraudulently treated. HHS should take an active role in examining the potential health and environmental effects of all wireless radiation, starting with formally establishing the exact death toll spiked upward from the telegraph & all following upgraded tech for communications from its turn-on through cell phones which require the death toll caused by each of its upgrades into a different power level, which would be 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and higher. The distance measurements in which each EMF turn-on created a spike in similar numbers of increased deaths should be created where the distance involved is shaped by the death numbers outward until that disappears. Similar surges in actual number of deaths would determine the size and shape of these boundaries of impacted geography locations when the first turn-on of each new manmade EMF technology was activated in each area.

I am an eighty five year old retired female living in a retirement community in Northern California, since October 1013. After living here for about six months, I began having strange physical symptoms - heart palpations, dizziness, nausea and tinnitus. I started investigating the cause of these symptoms, and found six electric smart (wireless) meters on the outside bedroom wall close to where I sleep. They are pulsing high levels of radio frequency radiation 24 hours a day. I discontinued sleeping in that bedroom and the symptoms disappeared, except for the tinnitus. When I stayed at my nephews house in the country which has low EMFs, the tinnitus subsided. This scenario is a classic of someone suffering from electro hypersensitivity (EHS). I urge HHS taking an active role in examining the potential health and environmental effects of wireless radiation.

I am submitting this comment in response to HHS’s Request for Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. I am responding from the perspective of a parent and grandparent. My husband is chemically sensitive to all man-made (unnatural) chemicals, and his condition has gotten much worse ever since FPL installed their wireless meter outside our bedroom wall. We are being bombarded by radiation from the meter, and from both sides of our home from our neighbors' WIFI routers. I fear for our granddaughters who live in a totally wireless world, without even an analog clock in their home; everything is wireless! This nightmare has got to stop! I support HHS taking an active role in examining the health and environmental effects of wireless radiation. Questions about human health should be addressed by federal agencies with appropriate expertise in medicine, biology, epidemiology, and public health, and the experiences of individuals and families who report being affected should be considered alongside the scientific evidence. I urge HHS to carefully evaluate these experiences and the scientific evidence, identify gaps in current research, give particular attention to children and other potentially vulnerable populations, and establish appropriate federal research priorities regarding wireless radiation and public health. Thank you for the opportunity to be heard on this critical public health issue.

My health started declining soon after my local electric company unlawfully installed a Smart meter at my home. I finally got it replaced with analog. I had loss of energy, brain fog, aches and pains, and decreased quality of life. Some days I could barely get out of bed. I’ve always been very active and strong. I also had EMF exposure from my neighbors’ WiFi, electric lines, etc. When in the vicinity of cell towers, I would immediately get a headache. I spent thousands of dollars on products to protect me. My health kept declining. My friend put the pieces together when she counted 32 electrical wires going up and down my street. She told me I was being poisoned by EMF. I moved out of state to an area that had low EMF and I got my life back. Here I do not have Wi-Fi and my computer is connected via Ethernet cable to fiber optic cable. For years I’ve used a faraday pouch to protect my hand from my cell phone radiation. My hand would feel like it was burning. I have noticed recently that my index finger that I use to scroll or type on my Apple XR is feeling burning and tingling sensations. So I now use a stylus. Sometimes I have waves of feeling unwell (sudden decrease in energy, it feels like “the bottom just fell out,” nausea, and hot flashes) while I’m using my phone. EMFs, to me, are dangerous and a different system needs to be implemented. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I am writing to underline the dangers that lurk behind all types of electromagnetic fields. Today we are living in a soup of radiation that is invisible, but potentially harmful. I cannot quote any studies to provide evidence, but I do know that many have been carried out. I myself am proof of the harmful effect that EMF´s can have as I am very sensitive to the radiation of Smart water meters, Wifi signals, bluetooth, cell towers, etc... After suffering from headaches and lack of sleep, I moved out to the country away from cell towers, the WIFI of neighbors and many other sources of 24/7 radiation. My health has greatly improved. I would beg you to study the literature and case studies of sensitive people like me who, like the canaries in a mine, are warning us to pay attention, and do something before everyone´s health is undermined. I thank you for your attention to this important matter, Mary Beth Hitt

Radiofrequency radiation is biologically active, and not harmonious with the biology of plants, animals, birds, bees or humans. Policy-wise, it should be made safer, and safe zones for all kinds of emfs should be available to those who reasonably request a mellower more healing environment in homes in particular. For example, only about 2% of the population requests an analog meter so they can sleep or heal at home, or at night, requesting reasonable accomodation in their most private domain. These monopolies should allow this without contest, for it affects the power companies minutely, yet saves lives. This should not be a controversy. Power companies should consider grounding, isolating and filtering all powerful frequencies, as these have effects on all of life, including yours. Choice should be available in any free nation. Privacy is not a luxury. RF increases mold, inflammation, and diabetes. Beyond the biological effects which are openly studied in the goverments own Naval report (1971, or 1972), emfs bring out inflammatory conditions, and even ghosts! Hope there's a chuckle there. For me, the issue causes ocular migraines, cataract with surgery at a young age, the loss of my occupation, and a profound impact on my potential in all areas of life. It causes anxiety and many symptoms in others. Analog should be a choice, and the 1996 Telecommunications act is a form of Treason, imho. Thank you. We can and must do better, safer tech is possible. Thank you.

I can’t live in my home anymore because Madison Gas and electric won’t take the communicating chip out of the smart meter on the home. I’ve had to bounce around between two homes that are outside of the city and don’t have smart meters on their homes. I’m seriously worried about my future. I work hard, and I’d like to continue to work and pay for my living- however, the way I feel when I’m overwhelmed with EMFs is so intense, I’m worried I’ll end up in the hospital. It’s debilitating for me. The most intense brain fog, fatigue, headaches, nausea, dizziness and my jaw, neck, ears are in pain like they’re on fire or something is being pulled from it I can’t explain it. When I stay away for abut a week, all symptoms go away and I feel great. I know it is the electromagnetic frequencies- please please help.

Department of Health and Human Services, As a healthcare professional, an RN with over 40 years of experience, I know the dangers and benefits of exposure to non-ionizing and ionizing radiation. I know the science behind radiography and the science behind microwave radiation. In the clinical setting, measures are taken to reduce exposure, however, in the general environment, there are no safety controls, nor is there any formal data collected on symptoms related to RF, or radiowave exposure. Wireless radiation from tech devices and the advent of the installation of Smart Meters has increased ambient EMFs, or electromagnetic fields. As a public health nurse, I am attentive to the effects such environmental changes have caused. One of the effects of exposure of EMFs on the body is a clustering or aggregation of red blood cells. There has been an increase in the incidence of strokes over the last decade since the Smart Meters replaced the Android meters for utility use monitoring. Strokes have been occurring more frequently among younger people. Exposure to EMFs can cause a rise in blood pressure. Knowing this, at the time the Smart meters became ubiquitous, I collected BP readings from many people in my community. I consistently saw higher blood pressures in elderly who were positioned near a wall with a Smart meter attached. I tried desperately to appeal to leaders and politicians to take notice of these deleterious health effects, but the subject of health effects from EMFs seemed to be completely off the agenda, out of their purview. Regardless of the data I could demonstrate, no official would respond to my concern. My care, expertise and preventive efforts were completely ignored. My authority as a public health professional was rendered inert. Over the years since the advent of Smart Meters and pervasive WiFi, I have continued to watch people become ill with chronic conditions. Non-ionizing radiation represents oxidative stress on the body, which is well-known in science and can cause a wearing down of the immune system, as well as many other cellular changes. For the Federal government to ignore, to refuse to study this issue is clearly a disservice to the American people. Many of us are happy that RFK Jr. has tackled the 'cover-up problem' when it comes to health. I'm so upset watching my people suffer, but glad that HHS is finally responding. Thank you, Teresa Sanders, BSN, RN

I urge HHS to carefully evaluate personal experiences and scientific evidence, identify gaps in current research, give particular attention to children and other potentially vulnerable populations, and establish appropriate federal research priorities regarding wireless radiation and public health. I am currently 73 years old. In 2005, I moved to Kirkland WA and spent time in a local herbal shop and apothecary, learning about organic plants' healing properties and specialized tinctures and teas. I learned about EMF's emitted by microwaves and how food composition and nutritional values are changed and destroyed. I resorted to heating food on stove top in stainless steel pots. In 2019, a friend encouraged me to remove my laptop and printer from my bedroom, explaining "blue light" was affecting my body and brain and keeping me from truly resting as I slept. I turned on my wifi at bedtime and immediately felt an ease in my brain and down my spine! I soon moved the equipment to another room but continued turning it off at night. I questioned why I wanted to have EMF's emitted "all the time" and began turning on wifi only when I needed to use it and off when I was done. In that same year, Kirkland residents made a presentation to our City Council to delay installation of a 5G tower one block from an elementary school. We requested 1-2 years to learn more about effects of 5G waves on human brains, especially young childrens' brains. Our request was denied and the 5G was installed across the street from my home. I had reduced EMF's in my home and was unwilling to live where 5G would be emitted ALL THE TIME! I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and work from a home studio, so massage clients would be directly affected as well. I sold my Kirkland WA home and moved to SC. In 2023, I was experiencing dizziness for over a year and was encouraged by my homeopathic physician to request an analog meter from my electric utility. They no longer have analog meters, but offered to set my digital meter to "On Demand". My meter is "Off" except for 2 minutes each Sunday morning to allow the utility to log my weekly usage. The digital meter is on the outside wall of my bedroom, behind my headboard. I quickly noticed I was sleeping better- longer hours without waking and dreams were deeper and more memorable, indicating I was remaining longer in deep rem sleep state. Then, I turned off my wifi reception and began using an ethernet cable for my laptop and printer. Within one week, my dizziness ceased! I can still utilize wifi if necessary for a special project, but then I return to ethernet. My nervous system, mental clarity and overall ease in my body is much improved with the reduction of EMF's in my home. My clients comment that my house feels quiet, calm and cozy when they come for massage sessions. I feel it's a significant part of the healing process for all of us and am greatly appreciative to those wise people who have guided me.