FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joshua Hart, Director, Stop Smart Meters!
May 31st, 2011 info[at]stopsmartmeters[dot]org
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WARNS OF CANCER FROM WIRELESS
Widening Call to Disconnect ‘Smart’ Meter Mesh Network to Protect Public Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) today classified wireless, non-ionizing radiation as ‘possibly cancer causing’ based on a broad investigation into the peer-reviewed science, throwing a wrench into unrestrained proliferation of wireless infrastructure, particularly utility installations of ‘smart’ meters throughout the United States. Environmental health groups immediately seized upon the declaration, saying that it has vindicated their urgent calls for precaution around wireless technology such as ‘smart’ meters- devices that have already been linked to thousands of illnesses throughout California and elsewhere.
The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) placed radiation from cell phones into Category 2B- the same category as DDT and engine exhaust. The finding comes as telecommunications companies and utilities worldwide rush to saturate communities with wireless technology. The WHO report now opens the door to new citizen lawsuits as well as government policies restraining placement of wireless facilities to protect human health and the environment.
“PG&E and other utilities have been citing past assurances from the World Health Organization to respond to allegations of health damaging radiation from their ill-fated “Smart” Meter program,” said Joshua Hart Director of StopSmartMeters.Org. “Now that the WHO has come out and publicly confirmed that there are significant risks from wireless technology, will the utilities and regulators admit they have made a terrible mistake in deciding to roll out wireless mesh networks that are blanketing our communities with a likely carcinogen? We need to put the brakes on any further meter installation and immediately deactivate the existing networks. That is the only sensible and humane response to what has now become a growing public health emergency.”
The WHO declaration adds to the pressure on state regulators to act with urgency in order to prevent exposure to high intensity EMF pulses from ‘smart’ meters. Contrary to utility claims, the pulses are far stronger than most wireless devices in the home, and unlike a wifi router or cell phone, they cannot be turned off. According to Cindy Sage of Sage Associates, co-editor of the Bioinitiative report and author of a study on the health effects of smart meters, “Smart meters can produce RF exposures in some homes higher than those from PDAs and cell phones in the manner they are being installed and operated, and it is a continuous exposure unlike cell phones.” Evidence of growing health harm has forced the CA Public Utilities Commission to require that PG&E offer an opt out program for those unwilling to be exposed, but critics say this plan falls far short of what is needed, in addition to charging people large fees- simply to protect their health.
To date, a total of 42 local jurisdictions have demanded that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) halt further installation because of widespread reports of health impacts and other concerns. This list is available online at: https://stopsmartmeters.org/how-you-can-stop-smart-meters/ca-local-governments-on-board/
Lake County in California has been one of the most vociferous local governments fighting the ‘smart’ meter program, taking out an injunction against PG&E based on violations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). County Supervisor Anthony Farrington says, “WHO’s classification should prompt the CPUC to cease installation and undertake a full environment review based on significant evidence of health risks.”
Aside from cancer risks, wireless meters have been widely reported to cause headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears- even memory loss and heart palpitations among susceptible individuals due to the constant bursts of microwave radiation. The movement against wireless meters is the sharp end of a growing movement demanding health-based standards for wireless technology. Michael Peevey, who Gov. Brown has allowed to continue on as President of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), has continually insulted individuals with sensitivities to electromagnetic radiation, inferring that they are ‘just making it up.’ Peevey, the former President and Senior Executive of Southern California Edison (SCE) has ties to the telecommunications industry, and continues as President of the CPUC that is meant to oversee the utilities, despite popular outrage about clear conflicts of interest.
The World Health Organization’s press release can be downloaded from http://www.iarc.fr/ PG&E has referred to WHO studies to justify the roll-out and safety of their smart meters. Now that WHO has identified a cancer risk from wireless technology, will PG&E deactivate their carcinogenic mesh network? PG&E Spokesperson claims safety based on WHO position starting at 1:10 in the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Eh8NpEmqZE
