Concerns about Safety of Smart Meters Presentation for Network Tasman 13 May 2014 by Sue Grey LLB(Hons), BSc(Microbiology and Biochemistry), RSHDip PHI

RF EMR has many uses *wifi *cellphones *smart meters

But it can be harmful Heating effects are well accepted Include death, burns and electric shocks Increasing evidence in published international research of a wide range of biological effects

EMR- Class 2B carcinogen In May 2011 WHO and IARC classified RF EMR as a Class 2B carcinogen based on research summarised in Vol 102 IARC Monographs It is the only Class 2B carcinogen that is deliberately transmitted into our community Other 2B carcinogens are typically industrial and agricultural chemicals

WHO 2014 Cancer Report World cancer levels are increasing exponentially Inadequate resources to treat cancer Must focus on prevention Latent period- typically takes 10+ years after exposure for cancer to appear - takes many years to prove it causes cancer eg tobacco, asbestos

EMR causes other biological effects Irregular heartbeat Genotoxicity/Damage to DNA Changes to cell membrane function Difficulty sleeping Mental health problems Stress responses Allergic responses- electrohypersensitivity

ESR bi-annual review of new international research on EMR Most recent report Aug 2013 Background exposures approaching safe limits 22/35 identify cancer or other biological harm from cellphones 11/11 found molecular and cellular effects Effects on melatonin in humans Effect on pacemakers Electrosensitivity These are all “biological effects”

NZS2772: Protects only against heating effects (death, burns and electric shocks) Offers no protection against biological effects (now well established) can occur at much lower levels – only 0.1 % or 0.01% of levels which cause heating effects

Electrosensitivity Similar to an allergic reaction Can occurs at very low exposure in sensitised individuals Estimated to affect 3-10% of the population Overseas courts have started recognising ES and awarding worker compensation Painful, isolating and debilitating for sufferers Nowhere safe for them to go

“Smart meters” EMR transmissions base to house Neighbour to neighbour Appliance to meter 24/7 exposure Many reported cases of serious illness and reactions internationally and in NZ - even from neighbours’ meters Political debate eg Victoria Not essential- we have managed very well without smart meters until now

Informed consent Consent is meaningless unless it is fully informed This means all risk must be fully disclosed and understood Can’t hide behind flawed and dated NZ Standard 2772: Onus on the transmitter to understand and communicate all the risks

Network Tasman Network Tasman is a community organisation Monopoly supplier - but a “good guy” Please do your research about the many health problems RF EMR and smart meters have caused overseas Please put people first - ahead of profit

Any questions? We must learn from the lessons of tobacco, lead, asbestos, 2,4,5-T, methyl bromide…… The Roman Empire destroyed itself with clever but dangerous technology- lead plumbing Please don’t let history repeat itself Thank you for your time and interest