Smart meters

I am submitting my comment in response to HHS’s Request for information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation and Wireless Radiation exposure. I am responding from the perspective of a person personally affected and as a concerned member of the public. Radiation affects me in many ways. Not normal headaches that feels like it is inside the lining of my skull. Brain fog as if I am under the influence of a heavy dose of tranquilizer. Vertigo like symptoms, ear ringing. Fingers burn when I hold a device too long. Cannot be in a group of people for very long because everyone is using devices. For example: doctors office. place of worship, etc.. after four to five hours of this exposure it feels as if my blood is thickening and I will swell in my legs whether I move constantly or not. Then I will experience intense leg pain. After I leave that toxic environment it could take a full day to feel normal again. All of these symptoms began in 2012 although mildly which coincided with the Smart Meter. I opted out but it was installed anyway. My symptoms worsened and by 2020 during the lockdown I began to feel wonderful again. I was no longer around the devices. I spent a lot of my time outside doing yard work and projects. My energy level soared. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make the connection. I, myself have never been a user of cell phones. I have one for emergencies only. After the lockdown was over I did notice the symptoms returned and even worsened. Almost as if the 5G is so much more powerful and it is everywhere. Ironically, many people seem to have similar symptoms but they refuse to put two and two together. I support HHS taking an active role in examining health and environmental effect of wireless radiation. I urge HHS to carefully evaluate the scientific evidence. Give particular attention to children and vulnerable populations. Establish appropriate federal research priorities regarding wireless radiation and public health. Thank you for providing individuals and families with an opportunity to be heard.

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 an individual who has been negatively effected by EMFs and RF radiation. In 2011 my home town became a pilot for the installation of Smart Meters by our electricity provider. I was not asked for permission to have this RF radiating device installed on my home. Within a day or so after the Smart Meter was installed, I was startled awake at night by a severe heart arrhythmia. It felt like my heart was going to leap out of my chest. The arrhythmia continued every night from then on. I developed insomnia as well, and both conditions continued whenever I was in my home. Interestingly, when I was away on a vacation (especially camping), I was fine. I sought help from my doctor and a cardiologist, but in their offices my EKG was text-book perfect. (WiFi was not widely used at medical offices at that time.) After a couple of years, I learned that my health problems were caused by the smart meter, especially when its data was downloaded during the night. Because I lived in a neighborhood close to other houses, I was also affected by my neighbors’ meters. In order to regain my health, I had to move to a different home with no close neighbors, and payed substantial fees for a non-transmitting electric meter. Even non-transmitting smart meters produce electrical harmonic frequencies throughout a home’s wiring. People who are electro-sensitive, like me, are negatively affected by these, too. So, I spent additional money to have my home evaluated by a building biologist, who installed electrical filters. I also became sensitized to WiFi and cell phone towers. I still get headaches from prolonged exposure to them. Therefore, I do not use WiFi in my home and keep my distance from cell phones and towers. Having a home that is free from RF radiation has helped me to cope with the omnipresence of these technologies. I support HHS taking an active role in examining the potential 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 providing individuals and families with an opportunity to be heard.

Yes, having a “smart meter” forced into my house (just below my bedroom) caused headaches and insomnia. I protested the village prior to installation. I was pregnant and potty training my 2 year old. and recieved doctors notes, but had my water shutoff until meter could be installed. We had to move out until a faraday cage could be properly installed over the meter.

My opening Comment with answers to Questions 1-4: on 260923 I have practiced as a health enhancement (professional) coach for over 26 years. I grew up in a large family on California and became a Mom myself, hoping to someday be a GrandMom, but I have my doubts that I will, since my offspring are terribly confused, having trusted that EMFs "can't be bad, or they wouldn't be allowed" since reaching teenage years. The trusting view was backed by my Mom and Dad, my siblings, and most other family Elders and Youngers - all of whom are addicted to the perceived convenience of technology, with lots of evidence of EMF harms to over half of the family. Sadly, my warnings over the past 30 years, have only helped a few family members who noticed with me that they slept better by turning off wifi and cell phones at night (at least) and got better internet when switching BACK to ethernet cables. Those same few, like 26 years worth of clients, have acknowledged the extreme rise in brain tumors all around us (including members of my family), and the how about half of all people under 30 seek psychiatric services these days (another fact borne out in our large family). The cause of the worst brain tumor in our family was CLEARLY the excessive wireless home phone use, especially once DECT phones were installed in the late 1990s (since those bases are often as harmful as if there was a full-fledged cell tower in the home). Adding to that, the over-use of cell phones, especially inside cars where the radiation is magnified by bouncing many times within the metal cages that make up cars, PLUS so-called Smart Meters, PLUS proliferated cell towers, and now the excessive IOT (Internet of Things) use in most appliances: all these have wreaked havoc on everyone's nervous systems, ability to sleep, and other indirect health effects, in addition to all the direct health issues (like brain tumors) from holding deadly emf devices against ears. My mother developed a Pituitary tumor and took the advice to undergo surgery to remove the tumor, with NO mention by any medical staff that she could help herself by stopping the use of so many EMF devices, especially phones - whose fine print warnings INCLUDE the warning to NOT hold the device closer than 3/4” from the body. Most people glaze over when they see the evidence, and want to believe that the problem is "out there" somewhere... when my family is a typical example of terrible harm from all the forms of radiation adding up. Add to that the burned homes (also in my family) from faulty (or planned) fires originating in problems with Smart Meters, and this testimonial shows ample evidence I have seen professionally AND within my own family, that unbridled EMFs have and ARE causing excessive harm. I have taken MANY steps to clarify these dangers, AND I have acted on my “duty” as an Elder, to point out the harmful effects of corporate and government choices to flood our world with EMFs against all dutiful objections and orders to cease and desist. Other notes I choose to add here are: - I dislike being forced to choose to call myself only 1 of 3 categories: 1. an "Individual"; 2. an "Organization"; or 3. as "Anonymous." I know not to label myself anything other than a Living Woman, so I am stating that here and choosing the least-harmful category: "Anonymous." Also, I object to the term SUBMIT Comment, as I do not understand NOR submit myself or my comments - I am giving this Notice of Liability to all levels of Government, and this Notice to Agents is Notice to Principals just as This Notice to Principals is Notice to Agents. Q. 5: The Precautionary Principle is the most basic guideline for any government to uphold for us, their supposed employers. Q. 6: Ollie Johansen, Debra Davis, and MANY others, including the now-deceased Arthur Firstenberg have published copious evidence of the adverse health effects, especially to Little Ones - easily identified with the majority of people under 30 who have rarely been without excessive EMFs their WHOLE LIVES, as evidenced by their excessive disease and psychiatric needs. Q’s 7-15: The amazing serving men and women listed in Q 6 are joined by 1000s of other studies etc. as expert witnesses & speakers like Elana Freeland, Hans Becker, 1960s Military reports showing damage to burly male soldiers who used EMF devices more than 7 minutes on any one day. Plus, my offspring can look people in the eye & live healthfully compared to other Youngers. Q’s 16-18: The thousands of testimonials, expert statements, and journalism articles I have read myself are EASILY obtainable and read to ensure that the Precautionary Principle should always have been followed, and should STILL be prioritized NOW and in the future, since the role of Government is ONLY to protect people and our assets, AND all Corporations have a duty to serve people and are to lose their Corporate Charters if they do NOT.

I am a EHS sufferer for the past two and half years after having a smart meter enforced on me, I have suffered with severe rashes, burns , blistering which were so bad I was hospitalised for 5 days ,I have been diagnosed with severe tachycardia due to the meter attacking my metal and titanium implants, I have not been able to live in my home for over 2 years, this is a medical emergency for all suffering from the effects of this technology the corporation has received medical letters and exemptions but have refused to remove the meter whilst I am forced to sleep and stay in a car

Personal statement & Case testimony: Smart meters present a direct hazard to human health. My health was drastically impacted after our utility installed digital smart meters across our block. The day after activation, I experienced severe acute symptoms: * Neurological & Peripheral Distress: I instantly developed cognitive side effects and an aggressive attack on my peripheral nervous system. Within 48 hours, emissions coming from the walls caused such severe disruption that I came close to leg paralysis. * Severe Insomnia: I can no longer sleep in my bedroom. The continuous fields create a sensation like my brain is being 'zapped' and kept awake, resulting in debilitating insomnia. * Whole-House Wiring Radiation: Research and professionals confirmed that the Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) inside these meters injects high-frequency 'dirty electricity' directly onto building power lines. The electrical wiring throughout our house—and electronics plugged into it—now re-radiate harmful fields into living spaces. * Inadequacy of Mitigation: Mitigating this required major changes to living arrangements and expensive filters, which lessen the pollution but cannot eliminate it entirely. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Federal guidelines rely on thermal heating limits (ICNIRP) and wireless RF, failing to regulate conducted voltage noise ("dirty electricity") from internal SMPS in digital meters. Testing shows digital/smart meters generate up to 35 times higher conducted noise on household wiring than legacy analogue meters, turning building wiring into an antenna that induces non-thermal biological stress, neurological disruption, and sleep degradation. Federal agencies must close regulatory loopholes, recognize non-thermal biological thresholds, and enact a complete federal ban on all digital and smart electricity meters, mandating a return to passive electro-mechanical analogue metering. TECHNICAL EVIDENCE: CONDUCTED EMISSIONS 35-Fold Noise Increase: Testing of 23 meter models by EMF Consult AS showed modern smart meters (AMS) produce noise levels of 49 dBµV vs ~18 dBµV in older analogue meters—a 31 dBµV (~35-fold) increase in conducted noise on household wiring. Root Cause (SMPS): Analogue meters contain no power electronics, producing zero conducted pollution. Digital/smart meters use active SMPS that chop AC voltage, bleeding high-energy transients onto power lines. Constructive Interference: Multiple digital/smart meters on the same transformer create constructive interference, compounding noise across neighborhoods. BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH VGCCs & Oxidative Stress: Transients alter cellular function below thermal thresholds by opening voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), causing overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. Piezoelectric Inner Ear Stimulation: The inner ear's tectorial membrane and otoconia convert ultrasonic oscillations into mechanical micro-vibrations, triggering tinnitus, head pressure, and brain hyperexcitability. Stress Biomarkers (Milham & Stetzer 2013): Filtering dirty electricity resulted in significant normalization of urinary dopamine and phenylethylamine levels. Metabolic Disruption (Havas 2006, 2008; Milham 2014): Studies show dirty electricity elevates blood glucose in sensitive individuals ("Type 3 diabetes") and correlates historically with diabetes/obesity epidemics. School Field Trials (Havas & Olstad 2008): Filtering power-line noise by >90% produced significant health improvements in 64% of teachers and improved student focus/behavior. Remission via Analogue Reversion: Court rulings (Oslo Appeal Court, French Linky decision) confirm replacing digital/smart meters with electro-mechanical analogue meters results in rapid symptom remission. CRITICAL REGULATORY GAPS Unregulated 10–150 kHz "Grey Zone": CISPR 32 / EN 55032 standards only measure conducted emissions from 150 kHz to 30 MHz, leaving 10–150 kHz—where SMPS transients concentrate—completely unregulated. Thermal-Only Paradigm: Guidelines fail to account for non-thermal biological signaling or conducted power-line noise. The only biologically safe standard is passive analogue metering. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FEDERAL ACTION Complete Ban on All Smart Digital Meters: Enact a federal ban on all digital/smart electricity meters (including filtered models), mandating a return to electro-mechanical analogue meters. Free Analogue Reinstallation: Require utilities to reinstall traditional analogue meters free of charge upon request. Close 10–150 kHz Loophole: Expand EMC standards to mandate strict limits down to 10 kHz. Adopt Non-Thermal Thresholds: Update exposure standards to protect against VGCC activation, ROS-induced stress, and electro-hypersensitivity.

Since the electric company installed a smart meter on my neighbor's garage, I am no longer able to sit on the couch in my living room without feeling dizzy and getting a headache. The neighbor's smart meter is aimed directly at my living room couch.

I am a physician, and I am sharing what happened to my husband Henry and me when we lived in a condo directly above a room containing 24 smart meters. We moved there because it was right next to my mother. We thought, wow, this is great. Within what I remember as a couple of months, I began seeing flashes of light across my field of vision. They lasted about 20 minutes at a time, and they were horrifying. I had no idea what was happening. Years later, I learned these episodes were called scotomas. Henry already had a history of heart problems. While we were living there, he developed AFib and was hospitalized for cardioversion. With both of these things happening, a friend suggested we have someone assess electromagnetic exposures in our condo. That was when we learned about the smart meters below us. The assessor’s July 30, 2016 report recorded radiofrequency peaks of 7,000 µW/m² at our living room couch and 5,300 µW/m² in Henry’s office. He reported detecting pulses from the smart meter room in the office. The report also identified other wireless sources in and around the condo. We moved out as quickly as we could and got a meter of our own. Ten years later, I still occasionally have those visual episodes. I cannot say from this assessment what caused Henry’s AFib or my symptoms. I can tell you when they appeared, what was measured in our home, and how deeply the experience affected us. Henry went on to earn three certifications through the Building Biology Institute and became an Electromagnetic Radiation Specialist. As a physician, I now care for patients who are sensitive to electromagnetic exposures. People can live directly above a bank of smart meters without even knowing it. We did. I hope HHS will study what exposure is like inside homes in that situation, especially over time, and take the experiences of the people living there seriously.

Thank you for the opportunity to tell my personal story about how I'm affected by RF radiation. I’m 69, a white female, & have been chemically sensitive for 40 years. I started noticing electro-magnetic sensitivity 10-15 years ago. I keep my cell phone in Airplane Mode. We turned off the Wi-Fi in our home & hard-wired my computer. I wear RF-shielding gloves while working on the PC to protect my fingertips from burning. On July 9, 2018, the Pacific Power Company came to our home to install an electrical Smart Meter. Minutes later, I was standing in my kitchen & the new Smart Meter was 6 feet away on the other side of the house wall. My heart started fluttering but I shrugged it off. Suddenly, my heart JUMPED around in my chest radically. I ran out of the house. My husband called Pacific Power, asking them to remove the new meter but they said the employee who had just installed it & was still in the neighborhood wasn’t qualified to uninstall it. We waited 3 days for the electric company to come. I was still healing from a double mastectomy & my health felt fragile. Finally, my husband removed the Smart Meter himself, replacing it with an analog meter he had access to. My heart continued fluttering for a week afterwards & my doctor sent me to the ER. No permanent damage to my heart was found. The ER doctor suggested I was having panic attacks but I knew better. A few weeks later, the electric company finally got back to us &, discovering the Smart Meter had been removed, were livid. We were threatened & fined. When we refused to allow them to remove & replace the analog meter, they cut off the electricity to our home. The food in our freezer had begun to thaw by the time we realized our electricity was out. Feeling very coerced, we agreed to let Pacific Power install what they assured us was a “Non-RF-emitting” meter. They had sworn the Smart Meter was safe, too, but we seemed to have little choice. We felt very bullied. In addition to a fine, we had to pay $139 to officially uninstall the Smart Meter & switch to a non-RF-emitting meter. Since that time, we’ve also paid a monthly fee that customers with a Smart Meter do not have to pay. The non-RF-emitting meter hasn’t caused me any further problems with cardiac arrhythmia. How is it that we have to pay extra money to keep a life-threatening device off the wall of our home? I hope someday to be legally validated & reimbursed by the Pacific Power company for the trauma, pain & suffering they've caused me. I’ve also had problems with RF sensitivity at church since Smart Meters were installed. The metal fillings in my teeth seem to attract RF & exposure makes my jaw ache. I get a sharp headache at my temples & brain fog from too much RF. I’ve stopped wearing metal, especially near my head & heart. I’ve purchased faraday cages for two of the Smart Meters at church so I can socialize & attend baptisms. The effect of too much RF exposure is delayed & hard to notice until I lie down in quietness & feel my limbs buzzing. The buzzing is subtle while I’m busy. I start groaning & feeling cranky. When I finally lie down to rest, the buzzing becomes very apparent & uncomfortable. It takes hours to resolve. A new cell tower was proposed this summer to be built next to my church of 43 years. I spoke to our county’s planning commission in opposition to the new tower. I was shocked to learn that federal law prohibits the planning commission from considering any health objections to the approval of a new cell tower… WHAT?!! Health concerns are the most critical reason not to build a cell tower near schools, hospitals, churches, & in residential areas. I hope that law is repealed ASAP. By God’s grace, the new next-door cell tower was not approved. For folks with electro-magnetic sensitivity like me, “progress” in this modern world is scary. How long will we be able to find safe places to live? My heart goes out to people who are being irradiated by RF & don’t feel the adverse effects so that they act to protect themselves. I trust it’s just a matter of time before those in power decide to prioritize public health over technological growth & profit. I’ve been able to build a relatively safe environment for myself here at home. In a healthy environment, I feel strong & sassy. I can tolerate excursions into town for appointments & groceries. Sometimes, though, after a long day of exposures to chemicals & RF radiation, I become so drowsy that driving is dangerous. The after-effects of heavy exposure cause me to almost pass out. I usually recover from these exposures by falling into bed & sleeping it off but I have to get home safely first. What a waste of human energy, focus, & productivity these environmental toxins are causing. I’m delighted you’re taking a serious look at these things & how they’re affecting people, animals, & plants. Thank you for listening & good luck!

This is personal and family related as well as science too. The Environmental Working Group has also put out a report on RF/EMF. EMF cause my ears to ring. If I walk closer to a router the sound gets louder and if I walk away it will decrease or go away if I am far enough away for long enough. They also give me sinus infections. If I sleep with EMF's I have sinus infections and if I tent in the woods away from EMF they go away. I have repeated this process several times. When they put a smart meter on our house my kids started having ticks a lot, serveral times a minute and when we called and opted out of the smart meter the ticks stopped. I had tight muscles when they installed the smart meter but that went away after they changed the meter. We did not repeat this process. I have also seen family members kids and babies that had OCD much worse with RF/EMF. When it was removed or reduced it got a lot better. I believe that mast cell activation from the RF/EMF could be one of the reason for this issue. As Far as solutions I would like to see building regulations changed so no plug-ins have to be installed in bedroom and Cell tower are placed at least half a mile from homes, churches, and schools. The EU estimates that 2 to 3 percent of people have EHS (electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome). They have limits and the right to have your work checked and for the employer to reduce exposer. RF/EMF cages and bags can be used in rooms and offices without stopping wifi but reducing how much RF/EMF a person gets. Public spaces should not have high levels of RF/EMF because you are limiting the public that is sensitive to those spaces. Opt-out should be a mandated by law. I am wanting to move to a new town but they have no opt-out. How are my kids going to live in a house with no opt-out? Also opt-out should not carry a extra fee as we had no smart meters for decades and had no extra fee so this seems like you are punishing those who are sensitive to this when they had no control over it. DOI: 10.1080/09553000500303518 DOI: 10.1556/ABiol.56.2005.1-2.5 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22219 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113851