California’s Energy Future – The View to 2050
Health Impacts of Radio Frequency from Smart Meters
Author(s): Richmond, Rollin; Long, Jane C.S.; Macari, Emir; Mantey, Patrick; McCarthy, Ryan; Papay, Larry; Winickoff, David; Wright, Paul
Release Date: March 31, 2011 | Last Updated Date: February 20, 2015
Abstract
SmartMeters are electronic monitoring devices that continuously measure the electricity output from each household and business. They communicate on a regular basis back to the utility. The goal is to enable power companies to better understand patterns of power consumption throughout the day and adjust power generation accordingly.
At the request of Assembly Member Jared Huffman (Marin) and Assembly Member Bill Monning (Santa Cruz), CCST agreed to compile and assess the evidence available to address the following two issues:
- Whether FCC standards for SmartMeters are sufficiently protective of public health taking into account current exposure levels to radiofrequency and electromagnetic fields.
- Whether additional technology specific standards are needed for SmartMeters and other devices that are commonly found in and around homes, to ensure adequate protection from adverse health effects.
CCST found that, given the body of existing, generally accepted scientific knowledge regarding smart meters and similar electronic devices, the FCC standard provides an adequate factor of safety against known RF induced health impacts of smart meters and other electronic devices in the same range of RF emissions. At this time, there is no clear evidence that additional standards are needed to protect the public from smart meters or other common household electronic devices.
The final version of the report takes taking into account input and reviews received during the public comment period in January. Comments received as part of this process have also been released.
Additional Downloads
American Academy of Pediatrics
The Sensitivity of Children to Electromagnetic Fields – August 3, 2005
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
Radiation Protection – Mobile Telephones and Health Effects – June 25, 2010
Documents from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Correspondence Provided by Rick Kreutzer, California Department of Health – March 10, 2011
Mixed Signals About Cellphones’ Health Risks Hang Up Research – The Chronicle – September 26, 2010
Summary of the Literature: What do we Know About Cell Phones and Health? – July 20, 2010
Brain Tumor Risk in Relation to Mobile Telephone Use: Results of the INTERPHONE International Case, Oxford University Press – March 8, 2010
Mobile Phones and Health, U.K. Department of Health
Late Lessons from Early Warnings: Towards Realism and Precaution with EMF, David Gee, European Environment Agency – January 30, 2009
Statement of Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) Concerning Mobile Phones and Health – January 7, 2009
Fact Sheet: Children and Safe Cell Phone Use, Toronto Public Health – July 2008
Children and Mobile phones: The Health of the Following Generations in Danger, Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection – April 14, 2008
AFSSE Statement on Mobile Phones and Health, French Environmental Health and Safety Agency – AFSSE – April 16, 2003
Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR)
IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR)
COMAR Technical Information Statement the IEEE Exposure Limits for Radiofrequency and Microwave Energy
Commonwealth Club of California
The Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (Video) – November 18, 2010
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
EMF/RF Program at EPRI
Radio-Frequency Exposure Levels from Smart Meters: A Case Study of One Model – February 2011
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA’s Response to Janet Newton – March 8, 2002
EPA’s Response to Jo-Anne Basile – September 16, 2002
Epidemiology
Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to Cell Phone Use and Behavioral Problems in Children – July 2008 – Volume 19 – Issue 4 – pp 523-529
European Journal of Oncology – Ramazzini Institute
Non-Thermal Effects and Mechanisms of Interaction between Electromagnetic Fields and Living Matter – 2010
Federal Communications Commission
Radio Frequency Safety FAQs
RF Safety Page
Statement Provided by Robert Weller, Chief, Technical Analysis Branch, Office of Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications Commission, Regarding FCC Regulations – February 3, 2011
Federal Communications Commission Response to Cindy Sage – August 6, 2010
FFC Certifications for the Silver Spring Networks Devices
Download – September 28, 2009 – 1st Approval
Download – September 28, 2009 – 2nd Approval
Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields – August 1999
Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields – August 1997
Food and Drug Administration
No Evidence Linking Cell Phone Use to Risk of Brain Tumors – May 2010
U.K. Health Protection Agency
Wi-Fi – Last Reviewed October 26, 2009
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
ICNIRP Statement on the “Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHz)” – September 2009
Epidemiologic Evidence on Mobile Phones and Tumor Risk – September 2009
Exposure to High Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, Biological Effects and Health Consequences (100 kHz – 300 GHz) – 2009
National Academies Press
Identification of Research Needs Relating to Potential Biological or Adverse Health Effects of Wireless Communication – 2008
An Assessment of Potential Health Effects from Exposure to PAVE PAWS Low-Level Phased-Array Radiofrequency Energy – 2005
National Cancer Institute
Cell Phones and Cancer Risk (Fact Sheet)
Cell Phones and Brain Cancer: What We Know (and Don’t Know) – September 23, 2008
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Electric & Magnetic Fields
PG&E
Understanding Radio Frequency (RF)
Smart Grid: Utility Challenges in the 21st Century – Andrew Tang, Smart Energy Web – September 18, 2009
Supplemental Report on An Analysis of Radiofrequency Fields Associated with Operation of PG&E SmartMeter Program Upgrade System – October 27, 2008
Summary Discussion of RF Fields and the PG&E SmartMeter System (2005 Report and 2008 Supplemental Report)
Analysis of RF Fields Associated with Operation of PG&E Automatic Meter Reading Systems – April 5, 2005
Provided by Jerrold Bushberg
Background on the Thermal vs. Non-thermal Exposure and Health Issue – March 2011
Provided by Raymond Neutra
Should the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) Apply the Precautionary Principal to Low and High Frequency Electromagnetic Fields? – October 2010
Society for Risk Analysis
Risk Governance for Mobile Phones, Power Lines and Other EMF Technologies – 2010
University of Ottawa
Wireless Communication and Health – Electromagnetic Energy and Radiofrequency Radiation FAQs
World Health Organization
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health – Mobile Phones
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) – Fact sheets and Backgrounders
Unsolicited Submission – Alexander Blink, Executive Director of the DE-Toxics Institute, Fairfax CA
Points and Sources Submitted for Consideration by Alexander Blink 1
Points and Sources Submitted for Consideration by Alexander Blink 2
Public Health Implications of Wireless Technologies, Cindy Sage
Memory and Behavior, By Henry Lai, Bioelectromagnetics Research Laboratory, University of Washington
Unsolicited Submission – Sage Consulting
Assessment of Radiofrequency Microwave Radiation Emissions from Smart Meters
Cindy Sage Letter to Julius Knapp (FCC) – September 22, 2010
Response Letter to Cindy Sage from Julius Knapp (FCC) – August 6, 2010
Cindy Sage Letter to Edwin D. Mantiply (FCC) – March 15, 2010
Bioinitiative Report: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF)
Bioinitiative Report: What is the BioInitiative Report?
Bioinitiative Report: Myocardial Function Improved by Electromagnetic Field Induction of Stress Protein hsp70
Bioinitiative Report: The Interphone Brain Tumor Study – Cindy Sage, Editorial Perspective
Bioinitiative Report: Steps to the Clinic with ELF EM
Mobile Phone Base Stations – Effects on Wellbeing and Health – Pathophysiology – August 2009
Increased Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Mammalian Brain 7 Days after Exposure to the Radiation from a GSM-900 Mobile Phone – Pathophysiology – August 2009
Public Health Implications of Wireless Technologies – Pathophysiology – August 2009
Genotoxic Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields – Pathophysiology – August 2009
Epidemiological Evidence for an Association Between Use of Wireless Phones and Tumor Diseases – Pathophysiology – August 2009
Public Health Risks from Wireless Technologies: The Critical Need for Biologically-based Public Exposure Standards for Electromagnetic Fields – BioInitiative Briefing for President-Elect Obama Transition Team
The BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for A Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF) – Cindy Sage PowerPoint Presentation – November 2007
Unsolicited Submission – Wilner & Associates
SmartMeters and Existing Electromagnetic Pollution – January 2011
(Please note: This study was not commissioned by CCST)
Application for Modification Before the California Public Utilities Commission
Other Documents
Health Canada Safety Code 6 and City of Toronto’s Proposed Prudent Avoidance Policy – 2010
Transmitting Smart Meters Pose A Serious Threat To Public Health – Electricalpollution.com
RF Safety and WiMax FAQs: Addressing Concerns About Perceived Health Effects
Scientific Panel on Electromagnetic Field Health Risks: Consensus Points, Recommendations, and Rationales – NCBI – 2011
Mobile Phone Health Hazard: Call for Changes in Radiation Norms – The Hindu – February 2011
Relevant Websites
EMF-Portal of the RWTH Aachen University
EMFacts Consultancy
EMF Safety Network
LBA Group
CDC’s NIOSH Program Portfolio
Stop Smart Meters
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