New Yorkers pressure utility industry for smart meter alternative, citing health and safety concerns

Monday, August 01, 2016 by: Daniel Barker
Tags: smart meters, health effects, New York

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(NaturalNews) Citizens of New York State are demanding that utility companies provide an alternative to "smart meters," due to increasing concerns over safety and health.

Digital utility (DU) meters, commonly known as smart meters, have been linked to a number of serious health issues, and have also been known to cause fires and electrical problems.

In a letter addressed to the Daily Freeman, Michele Hertz and Toby Stover of Stop Smart Meters NY expressed their concerns on behalf of citizens regarding the meters, which have been installed throughout the state over the past few years to replace analog utility meters which have been used for decades with few problems.

Hertz and Stover wrote:

"Where DU meters are installed, thousands of people are reporting insomnia, heart palpitations, tinnitus, diarrhea, anxiety, inflammation, headaches, rashes, high blood pressure, strokes, cancer, as well as electrical problems and fires."

Smart meters made in China were approved without testing or UL certification

The letter also points out the fact that the DU meters being installed were manufactured in China, and were approved by the New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) without any UL certification or testing for "microwave radiation emissions, electrical and fire code compliance or privacy and security risks."

Hertz and Stover accuse the utility industry – with the complicity of the NYSPSC – of putting the public at risk in pursuit of profits.

"Already, there is sufficient evidence to warrant banning DU meters, including the so-called digital 'opt-out' meter. Yet utilities and the NYSPSC have known about this since 2010 and have done nothing while people suffer.

"Analog meters, used for decades with few complaints, protect our privacy and do not utilize unsafe technology."

More than 1,000 Woodstock residents have signed a petition demanding a no-fee analog meter option. Several other New York communities have also signed resolutions calling for no-fee analog meter choices.

Smart meter risks

So just how dangerous are smart meters?

The Centre for Research on Globalization reports that exposure to the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) produced by smart meters causes "myriad devastating health effects," including:

"DNA damage, abnormal genetic and hormonal changes, sperm damage, pregnancy complications, weakening of the blood-brain barrier, disturbance of voltage-gated calcium channels (for example, in the heart), degradation of immunity, and certain types of cancers."

These effects on human health have been confirmed by numerous peer-reviewed studies, as documented by the Global Research website. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are particularly at risk from the negative health effects of EMR.

Smart meters also pose a threat to privacy; the EMF Safety Network calls them "surveillance devices" which provide detailed information about everything that takes place in the home, from when you cook or turn on a light, to whether or not you are at home or entertaining guests.

In California, for example, utility companies have admitted that this information is being provided to the government and third parties. Smart meters are also easy targets for hackers.

So what's really behind the push for these dangerous, privacy-threatening smart meters?

At least part of the answer is certainly the money involved.

Smart meters can cost hundreds of dollars per household, and the so-called "opt-out" programs generate even more money for the utility companies. In fact, some are calling the opt-out programs a "pay-us-not-to-hurt-you" racket.

As it turns out, there's absolutely nothing "smart" at all about the smart meter scheme – except for the fact that it's a smart way for utility companies to turn a massive profit while endangering the health and privacy of the nation's citizens.

Sources

DailyFreeman.com

GlobalResearch.ca

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com