The consumer protection function in the United States of America in the year 2024 is widely broken by industry’s wild success as controlling the media and at capturing regulatory agencies. This creates a country where attempting to ignore real health issues caused by any industry sacred cow products or technologies is the only option. Unfortunately, ignoring does not make certain kinds of damage to the body, pain or suffering go away.
Concerns about smart meters and their potential health effects, including the possibility of causing symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, and cognitive disturbances, have been raised by some. Here’s a summary of the findings related to smart meters and their impact on health:
Reported Symptoms from Smart Meters
- Common Symptoms: A study from Victoria, Australia, found that residents reported symptoms including insomnia, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive disturbances, dysesthesias (abnormal sensations), and dizziness after exposure to smart meters.
- Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: Many individuals did not report having electromagnetic hypersensitivity prior to exposure, suggesting that smart meters may lower the threshold for symptom development in some people.
Health Risks and Radiation Emission
- Radiofrequency Radiation (RFR): Smart meters emit RFR, which is classified as non-ionizing radiation. While it can cause heating effects at high levels, the emissions from smart meters are generally considered low and within safety guidelines set by organizations like the FCC and ICNIRP.
- Comparison with Other Devices: The exposure levels from smart meters are typically lower than those from mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices. Studies indicate that the RF radiation emitted by smart meters is well below the recommended limits.
- Power Levels: Smart meters can emit power levels ranging from 250 to 500 mW for 900 MHz transmissions and less than 15 mW for 2.4 GHz. These levels are comparable to other common sources in our environment but can result in rapid spikes during transmission periods.
Rapid Spikes in Power Levels
The intermittent nature of smart meter transmissions can lead to rapid spikes in power levels. These spikes occur when the meter communicates data back to the utility company, which can happen multiple times a day. Some reports indicate that these meters may transmit RF radiation pulses averaging about 10,000 times per day, with maximums reaching up to 190,000 times per day. Such rapid fluctuations may be detrimental to sensitive individuals.
Regulatory Oversight and Research
- Lack of Direct Studies: While there is ongoing research into the health effects of RF radiation from various sources, specific studies on smart meters are limited. Most existing research focuses on RF radiation from mobile phones rather than smart meters directly.
- Community Concerns: Some communities have expressed opposition to smart meters due to perceived health risks and have sought options to opt out of installations. However, regulatory bodies maintain that the exposure levels are safe.
The Influence of Industry on Scientific Consensus
The scientific consensus regarding the safety of electromagnetic fields (EMF) is often criticized as being influenced by powerful telecom and energy industries. Many argue that this consensus downplays potential health risks associated with EMF exposure due to a lack of funding for independent research. As a result, studies that could challenge the prevailing narrative often struggle to gain traction in mainstream scientific journals.
This situation raises concerns about a systemic bias where research indicating potential health risks is marginalized or dismissed for political reasons. Critics argue that this creates a misleading perception of safety surrounding EMF exposure while ignoring substantial evidence suggesting adverse biological effects at lower exposure levels than currently accepted safety guidelines allow.
The country is divided in their views on this. Many think that there could be no conspiracy because the regulatory agencies are there to prevent that, and furthermore anyone who thinks there are any big as yet unexposed health risks from the technologies we use day to day are crazy.
Actual Mechanisms of Damage
Smart meters, while designed to enhance energy management and efficiency, can potentially cause harm through mechanisms related to voltage sensing and calcium ion channel activation in biological systems. Here’s how this could occur:
1. Voltage Fluctuations: Smart meters monitor and control voltage levels in the electrical grid. If these devices experience voltage surges or fluctuations, they may inadvertently transmit these irregularities into the home’s electrical system. Such fluctuations can lead to increased electromagnetic fields (EMFs) around the meter and throughout the household wiring.
2. Calcium Ion Channels: Calcium ion channels are crucial for various physiological processes, including muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, and cellular signaling. These channels can be activated by changes in voltage across cell membranes. Prolonged exposure to elevated EMFs from smart meters may lead to abnormal activation of these channels.
3. Physiological Effects: When calcium ion channels are excessively activated, it can result in a condition known as calcium overload. This overload can disrupt cellular homeostasis, leading to increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and potential cell damage or death. In particular, neurons and cardiac cells are sensitive to such disturbances, which could manifest as neurological issues or cardiovascular problems.
4. Health Concerns: The cumulative effect of these disruptions may contribute to various health issues, including headaches, sleep disturbances, and more severe conditions over time. While the scientific community continues to debate the extent of these effects, the potential for harm exists particularly for individuals with pre-existing health conditions or heightened sensitivity to EMFs.
The integration of smart meters into residential areas raises concerns about their impact on health due to voltage sensing capabilities that may activate calcium ion channels. As research continues in this area, it is critical for regulatory bodies to assess the long-term implications of widespread smart meter deployment on public health and safety.
Industry Collusion vs Consumer Protection
Even examples of proven illegal industry collusion do not help many people to accept that there could be current such undiscovered problems.
1. Oil Price-Fixing Conspiracy
The FTC found evidence that American oil companies colluded with the Saudi government to inflate gas prices, costing the average family $3,000 last year. Scott Sheffield, CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources, was implicated in this conspiracy, exchanging hundreds of messages with OPEC representatives about pricing and production strategies [1][2].
2. Auto Industry Emissions Scandal
Volkswagen was found to have colluded with other automakers to cheat on emissions tests, leading to significant fines and loss of consumer trust. This scandal is often referred to as “Dieselgate,” where the company used software to manipulate emissions data during testing periods [3].
3. Generic Drug Price-Fixing
Several generic drug manufacturers, including Teva Pharmaceuticals, were implicated in a price-fixing scheme that affected over 100 medications. This led to a multi-billion dollar lawsuit and penalties against the companies involved [4].
4. Airline Price-Fixing
Major airlines were investigated for colluding to fix prices on airfares. The Department of Justice’s investigation revealed coordinated fare increases among these airlines, resulting in fines and increased scrutiny of their pricing practices [5].
5. Banking Sector Collusion
Several banks were fined for colluding to manipulate foreign exchange rates. The scandal involved traders coordinating their actions to benefit from currency fluctuations at the expense of clients [6].
6. Telecom Industry Collusion
A group of telecom companies was found guilty of anti-competitive practices by agreeing not to compete for certain customers or markets, leading to regulatory actions and fines [7].
7. Tech Industry Patent Collusion
Major tech companies were accused of colluding to restrict competition in the smartphone market by agreeing not to compete on certain patents, stifling innovation and keeping prices high [8].
These references provide a clearer picture of the various industries where significant collusion has been proven or alleged, leading to legal consequences and notable impacts on consumers.
If you can’t prove it, it’s not real. That’s how this is working. We don’t have the tools to test the damage.
The Non-Ionizing Radiation is Safe Trope
Non-ionizing radiation can have significant biological effects. For instance, UV radiation, which is non-ionizing, can lead to cancer. Additionally, intense blue light within the visible spectrum can lead to retinal damage through photochemical mechanisms. Visible light, which is also non-ionizing, can trigger a series of molecular changes in the human body—after all, without these changes, humans wouldn’t be able to see! Therefore, the claim that non-ionizing radiation is completely obscures important information. While non-ionizing radiation does not possess enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules, it can still produce thermal effects and potentially non-thermal biological damage including oxidative stress.
Conclusion
The scientific consensus suggests that the radiation emitted by smart meters is low and does not pose significant health risks according to current guidelines. However, many healthcare professionals may not address concerns regarding smart meter exposure effectively due to a lack of testing capabilities for RF emissions in clinical settings. Consequently, individuals experiencing symptoms linked to smart meter or other EMF exposure may find little support or actionable advice from healthcare providers. If you suspect your smart meter is affecting your health, it may be beneficial to explore alternative solutions such as moving to the dark side of the moon, or consulting with specialists knowledgeable about electromagnetic fields, such as a reputable Building Biologist.
Read More
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25478801/
[2] https://ehtrust.org/educate-yourself/health-risks-posed-by-smartmeters/
[3] https://cse.cigre.org/cse-n032/smart-meters-and-human-health.html
[4] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smart-meters-radio-waves-and-health/smart-meters-radio-waves-and-health
[5] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/radiation-exposure/smart-meters.html
[6] https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/radiation-sources/more-radiation-sources/smart-meters
[7] https://na.itron.com/documents/d/asset-library-120736/radio-frequency-emissions
[8] https://smartmeterresources.com/understanding-rf-and-smart-meters/
[9] https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/02/energy/oil-ceo-opec-scott-sheffield/index.html
[10] https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/an-oil-price-fixing-conspiracy-caused
[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Socony-Vacuum_Oil_Co.
[12] https://fortune.com/2024/05/02/exxon-pioneer-merger-ftc-claim-collusion-texas-opec/
[13] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67717790
[14] https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/02/27/66011/the-10-worst-technologies-of-the-21st-century/
[15] https://www.sans.org/top25-software-errors/
[16] https://www.spacesecurity.info/en/top-25-most-dangerous-software-weaknesses-than-can-affect-satellites-in-2023/
[19] https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1787198
[20] https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/products/electronic-components/resources/brochure/eaton-smart-meter-movs-use-case-elx1008-en.pdf
[21] https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/smart-meter-causing-damage-to-electronics.103928/
[22] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026322411930747X
[23] https://www.sans.org/top25-software-errors/
[24] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-top-10-worst-technologies-21st-century-nam-le
[25] https://www.spacesecurity.info/en/top-25-most-dangerous-software-weaknesses-than-can-affect-satellites-in-2023/
[26] https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/02/27/66011/the-10-worst-technologies-of-the-21st-century/