Exploring The Truth About Smart Meter Dangers & Health Risks

As smart meter installation continues, consumers have questions about the safety of this device, more specifically people want to know if there are smart meter dangers that can cause health related problems. In fact, our office has received a large number of calls from individuals which state that they have experienced significant health problems after the installation of Smart Meters. The installation of Smart Meters at residential buildings has created a public outcry about potential or perceived health effects. We have received numerous calls from the public for the evaluation at their building. To address these questions appropriately we have researched the scientific literature on the technical specifications and measurement methodologies. The issues involved with the evaluation of Smart Meter dangers are very complex. We have summarized our findings in this paper to provide a better understanding of the subject matter and issues involved.

Reference Literature

We have used the following publications as our reference sources. Based on the technology described in these papers, we have conducted some research on our own. The documents are available on the Internet free of charge. Our findings and measurement challenges are summarized in this report.

reference sources 1 reference sources 2 reference sources 3 reference sources 4

What Are Smart Meters?

Smart Metes are digital meters which record electrical, gas, and water usage. The data is then transmitted wirelessly to the utility companies. Smart meters are currently installed throughout California, many other states and eventually in all 50 states as well as in Canada.

These Smart Meters are referred to as access points. How the process works is, the information from individual meters or access points is sent to utility access points, which act as data collection points before forwarding the data to the utility company. The utility access points are commonly located on power poles and street lights. The entire system is referred to as a mesh network allowing for continuous connections around broken or blocked meters or data pathways. Smart Meters provide real-time data to the utility provider and in the future to the consumer in the proposed real-time smart grid.

There are various technologies in use to transmit the data: (A) Wired via cables such as fiber-optic, copper phone lines, or cable; (B) Wired via power lines such as power line communication or broadband over power lines; and (C) Wireless via antennas (e.g. GPRS, GSM, ZigBee, WiMax). In California and many other states a wireless network was chosen.

The installation of Smart Meters is only the first phase. In the second phase, individual appliances will communicate with the Smart Meter. This provides information on when and how much electricity a particular appliance utilizes. The information will then be available to the consumer to make “smart” choices regarding their electrical usage. The communication between appliances and Smart Meters will occur wirelessly. This communication system is referred to as the home area network or HAN.

smart meter network components

Graphic from Health Impact of Radio Frequency Exposure from Smart Meters report by California Council on Science and Technology

Why the Concern?

Health, environmental, privacy, and billing concerns have all been voiced over the installation of these meters which has created quite a bit of smart meter controversy. Citizen action groups and websites have been formed. Numerous city councils have put a moratorium on the installation of meters until more information is available. This document will summarize these concerns and is focused on the emission from meters and exposure prevention.

Health Concerns

A large number of individuals have reported significant changes in their health and well-being related to the installation of wireless Smart Meters on their property. This has led to community activism against the installation of wireless meters, with websites and appeals to decision makers and politicians. The main symptoms reported by individuals are: sleeping disorders, insomnia, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), fatigue, nausea, dizziness, irritability, listlessness, heart palpations, and changes in cognitive behavior.

Environmental Concern

With the installation of millions of Smart Meters, their repeaters, and data transfer, the number of cellular transmitters is dramatically increasing and changing our RF exposure and environments. These fields do not occur in nature. In the second phase, when our electrical appliances are talking wirelessly to the Smart Meter, the RF levels and exposure to RF frequencies inside our buildings can be raised. Most Smart Meters are designed to also work in wired mode. Some utilities allow the installation of wired systems.

Privacy and Billing

With the remote access to electrical, gas, and water usage in a building, the private lifestyle becomes apparent to the viewer of the data. Hacking into the data transmission is another concern. Are you taking a shower right now or not? Customers have also reported significant increases in billing for utility services. Smart Meters certainly allow monitoring and billing with a tiered-rate system which may significantly increase consumer costs.

What Type of Radiation?

types of radiationWireless Smart Meters are able to receive and transmit data using a wireless network. The transmission occurs with a dipole antenna to reach utility access points or repeater units. Two or three different frequency bands are being utilized.

  • 902-928 MHz (megahertz) band for transmission to repeater units.

  • 1.9 GHz (gigahertz) band can potentially be used for transmission to repeater units.

  • 2.4 GHz band for future communication of appliance data via ZigBee or Wi-Fi network and in the transmission to the cellular network band.

These frequencies are similar to frequencies used in cellular phones, wireless computer networks, DECT cordless phones, baby monitors, Wi-Fi systems, and other wireless networks and devices. The meter uses a technology which is referred to as frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS). That means the transmission frequency will change constantly during a given time period.

The following measurements were performed with a computer software-based system provided by Metageek. It shows the frequency range between 902 and 928 MHz on the x-axis (horizontal). The amplitude or field strength of the signal is expressed on the y-axis (vertical).

frequencies present in home without a smart meter

The graph above depicts the frequencies present in a residential home without a wireless Smart Meter. The peaks show the amplitude (strength) of the signal. The largest peak in the 918 MHz range is emitted from a cordless phone. The amplitude shows maximum signal strength of approximately -70dB.

rf radiation measured one-foot from smart meter

The graph above depicts measurements conducted outside at a one-foot distance from a Smart Meter.

The largest peaks are now in the -20dB range. This constitutes a 100,000 fold increase in the power density (signal strength).

The Duty Cycle

The data from the wireless Smart Meter is sent out in short transmission bursts, which usually last only from 12 to 120 milliseconds (ms) at a time. These transmission times are referred to as duty cycles. A 100% duty cycle corresponds to continuous operation, e.g. 24 hours/day. A 1% duty cycle corresponds to a transmitter operation of 1% per 24 hours, which means 14.4 minutes/day.

The most controversial question in the assessment of wireless Smart Meters is how often is this intermittent burst occurring per day? This short time sequence makes it difficult to detect and measure the signal properly with RF instrumentation. The estimates on how often the pulse or burst occurs range from:

  • Once or twice a day

  • Once (1) every four (4) hours

  • To 750 times/day

  • To an almost continuous transmission from utility access points

radio frequency measuring toolWhen we tested measurements at one residential meter, we manually counted the number of bursts for a ten-minute time period. The number of bursts varied significantly over the time period. We used a simple consumer instrument which only provides an audible signal when the field strength increases. We used this tool to audibly and manually count the frequency bursts. The table below shows the result for this meter located in a residential development in San Diego County with the assumption of 50 ms bursts.

Minutes

Counts

1

15

2

0

3

2

4

3

5

5

6

9

7

4

8

5

9

3

10

4

Total counts over 10 minutes

50

Average counts per minute

5

Average transmit time per minute

0.25 seconds

Minutes per 24 hours

1440

Total Transmission Time

6 minutes

Duty Cycle

0.4%

wavecontrolNext, we used a professional broadband meter with an isotropic probe to measure the data burst and amplitude over time. A Wavecontrol SMP with a WPT 8 probe was used at the Smart Meter. The frequency range of the instrumentation with the probe is 100 kHz to 8 GHz. The graph below shows the results of the data logging.

The difficulty most professional instruments have is that they collect the data twice per minute. However, when the short (50-millisecond) burst occurs during the time when the instrument is not recording, it will not be visible. Only if the measurement period and transmission burst coincide in time will the signal be recorded. This is likely to account for the different amplitudes detected. The instrument may measure when the signal is building up or phasing out. This appears to be the reason for the significantly varying amplitude.

Wavecontrol SMP with WPT8 probe measuring for 20 minutes at one foot distance from the meter

The graph also shows the disadvantage of looking at and reporting the average power levels only because the signal strength disappears as background noise.

Thirdly, we used a Gigahertz RF meter with a data logger attached to the instrument to count the transmission bursts over time. The following instrumentation was used: Gigahertz HF59B instrument with probe HF800V2500 and the NFA 1000 data logger. This set of instrumentation appears to have a higher capture range of the transmission pulses. The graphic below shows a 17-minute time period at one-foot distance from an Itron Smart Meter.

17-minute rf instrumentation one-foot from smart meter

Instrumentation at one-foot distance from smart meter for a 19-minute time period in the afternoon

19-minute rf instrumentation

Instrumentation at one-foot distance from smart meter later that evening for a 90-minute time period

These measurements show a much higher duty cycle than anticipated by most entities. However, the instrument clipped the amplitude levels of at a certain high. Therefore, we could not measure the strength of the signal. It is possible we need to make some adjustments to the recoding modes.

Power Density Measurement Results

We conducted initial power density measurements and found that it can be difficult to measure these short transmission bursts. A variety of previously mentioned RF Instruments were used at a distance of one (1) foot from the meter. The results varied significantly between the different instruments; therefore, we are only reporting our spectrum analysis results here.

A Rhode &Schwarz FSH3 spectrum analyzer was used in conjunction with a directional periodic-logarithmic antenna. Measurements were performed at a distance of one (1) foot from the Itron Smart Meter. A max peak detector with max hold function was selected. The peak hold value was recorded.

Frequency Band

Distance in feet

nW/cm2

µW/cm2

µW/m2

V/m

902 – 924 MHz

1 foot

2,100

2.1

21,000

2.8

The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) used 50% duty cycles in their charts and graphs to extrapolate compliance with the FCC standard. According to CCST the following exposure levels are emitted.

Frequency Band

Distance in feet

nW/cm2

µW/cm2

902 – 924 MHz

1 foot

8,800

8.8

3 feet

1,000

1.0

10 feet

100

0.1

FCC Guidelines

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in conjunction with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) have established rules to protect workers and the general public from known RF hazards. The FCC rules establish limits for emissions from devices and exposures to the population.

These regulations are based on thermal effects to human tissue (heating). The thermal heating effect of radio frequency (RF) radiation on humans has been studied and is well understood. Non-thermal effects were not taken into consideration for the basis of these regulations. Some scientific studies have shown that non-thermal effects due to cumulative or prolonged exposure to lower levels of RF emissions can cause adverse health effects. The lack of a definitive cause with scientific acceptance is being cited as the reason for the exclusion of the non-thermal effects in regulations. The BioInitiative Report provides a good summary on the studies of non-thermal adverse health effects detected1.

The specific absorption rate (SAR) is related to the power emitted from wireless devices such as cellular phones. The SAR limit is 1.6 Watt of power per kilogram of body weight (W/kg). The amount of radiation an individual can be exposed to is limited by the maximum permissible exposure (MPE). MPE is expressed as a percentage of the allowable exposure. The allowable limit varies with the frequency, occupational and general public exposure.

Regulations and Other Guidelines and Recommendations

The following table shows regulatory RF levels, suggestions and recommendations by different entities.

Entity

Power Density

Regulatory – FCC/ANSI – USA – 900 MHz range

610,000 nW/cm2

Regulatory – Italy, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, China, Russia

10,000 nW/cm2

Regulatory – Switzerland

4,500 nW/cm2

Recommendation – Ecolog Institute (2000)

300 nW/cm2

Recommendation – Salzburg Resolution (2000)

100 nW/cm2

Recommendation – BioInitiative Report (2008)

<100 nW/cm2 outdoor

<10 nW/cm2 indoor

Recommendation – STOA – EU Parliament (2001)

10 nW/cm2

Average range in metropolitan areas

0.5 – 2 nW/cm2

Background levels in residential areas

0.05 -0.5 nW/cm2

Necessary for cellular phone reception

0.0001 nW/cm2

Summary and Recommendations

Accurate and precise measurements for the power density and duty cycles are not easily performed even with costly professional equipment. Few instruments are able to detect the short transmission bursts properly.

Average power density readings are misleading because they severely underrate the peak power levels. Distance from the meter as well as the number and density of the wall assemblies between the meter and the living and sleeping areas have a significant impact on the RF exposure. The larger the distance is and the greater the wall density is, the lower the RF exposure will be.

  • Smart Meters can be installed in a wired mode via phone lines, cable, fiber-optic, or copper wiring. Some utilities allow the installation of wired systems. This would provide the lowest RF exposure levels for occupants.

  • If measurements for wireless Smart Meter are conducted, peak amplitude levels and the burst cycle (duty cycle) should be recorded and extrapolated.

  • If health problems are experienced with the installation of Smart Meters, a comprehensive EMF and RF survey should be conducted to rule out other sources of elevated electromagnetic fields. We recommend an EMF survey according to the Building Biology Standard SBM 2008. This will provide information on the most appropriate reduction or shielding methodology.

  • Research is currently ongoing to evaluate if the Smart Meter’s switching mode power supply is creating dirty electricity (signal distortions), which may be carried throughout the building through the electrical circuits.

  • The installation of interior wall shielding appears to be the most effective alternative.

  • Many RF attenuating (reducing) materials are available such as RF-specific copper wire meshes, shielding drywall, paints, glass films, and fabrics. These are specialty products and are more expensive than regular construction materials.

  • The exterior shielding of meters may not be very useful but may impede the operation of the meter and may be counterproductive.

  • Shielding kits are already being sold on the Internet. How effective they are should be evaluated by taking before and after installation measurements.

  • Consumers should be provided with clearly understandable information about the radiofrequency emissions of all devices that emit RF radiation including smart meters. Such information should include intensity, duration, and frequency of the power output and, in the case of smart meters, the pattern of sending and receiving transmissions to and from all sources2.

  • Be also aware that any electric meter—be it analog, digital, or smart—is a “hot spot” for elevated magnetic fields, which is why frequent-use rooms such as bedrooms and dining areas should be located away from electrical meters.

Appendices

The Appendix tables on the follow pages are provided by Katharina Gustavs with Rainbow Consulting in Canada. She has reviewed the listed reference papers, extracted the measurement information, and compared the data with other entities, standards, guidelines and recommendations on exposure values. In appendix C, she lists a number of resources and references and their websites. Thank you Katharina.

Katharina Gustavs

Rainbow Consulting

5237 Mt. Matheson Rd.

Sooke, BC, V0S 1N0, Canada

Tel: (250) 642-2774

http://www.buildingbiology.ca

Appendix A: Emission Levels of Itron OpenWay® Smart Meter in nW/cm2 (900 MHz Antenna)

Appendix B: RF Emission Level Comparison of Common Household Devices and Smart Meters

Appendix C: Resources and References

Appendix A: Emission Levels of Itron OpenWay® Smart Meter in nW/cm2 (900 MHz Antenna)

Distance

20 cm/8 inches

1 m/3 feet

3 m/10 feet

Common peak exposure levels of a single Itron smart meter

Smart meter, front

Smart meter, back

ca. 1000-10,000

ca. 10-100

outdoorindoor
Sage Report—CALCULATED for 90% duty cycle

1000% reflection

100% reflection

60% reflection

8,904,390

1,294,360

188,390

556,520

18,400

11,770

50,090

1,660

1,060

ACS Compliance Testing Laboratory (RSS-210/FCC15.247)—CALCULATED without reflection factor

900 MHz LAN

2.4 GHz ZigBee

227,000
31,000

[9,000]

[1,000]

Electric Power Research Institute—CALCULATED for upper range of possible RF fields

Peak level

(30 cm/1 foot) 168,360

18,727

1,683

Itron, Inc.—CALCULATED

Centron
Sentinel

68,000
81,000

Richard Tell Associates, Inc.—CALCULATED with ground reflection factor 2.56

Maximum level

adjacent to meter10,000

1000

100

BC Centre for Disease Control—MEASURED* (at British Columbia Hydro Laboratory)

Peak level, front

Min. detectable level of RF Probe

20,000

20,000

20,000

Safe Living Technologies (Ontario)—MEASURED a single smart meter at residence

Peak level, front

Indoor peak level, back

2,000

10-90

Electric Power Research Institute—MEASURED a single smart meter at residence

Peak level, front

Indoor peak level, back

(30 cm/1 foot) 5,337

1,134

bedroom1 behind meter 61

In bath and bedroom2 55

ET&T (California)—MEASURED a single smart meter at residence

Peak level, front

(30 cm/1 foot) 2,100

British Columbia Hydro—As quoted in its Smart Meter Business Case

< 10,000

10

British Columbia Hydro—CALCULATED AVERAGE based on transmit time per day

0.6% duty cycle (8 min)

0.06% duty cycle (1 min)

2,000

160

[54]

[6]

[6]

[0.7]

© 2011 Katharina Gustavs www.buildingbiology.ca

  • [] Values in square brackets are not listed in the quoted report, but inferred based on the formulas provided.

Appendix B: RF Emission Level Comparison of Common Household Devices and Smart Meters

Emission Level

in nW/cm2

Distance

RF Device/RF Guideline Type Exposure Duration

> 1,000,000

10 cm*

Cell phone handset GSM During phone call, continuous

600,000

Canada Safety Code 6/FCC 900 MHz

450,000

ICNIRP Guidelines (1998) 900 MHz

100,000

10 cm*

Cordless phone handset DECT During phone call, continuous

20,000

1 m

Leaky microwave oven 2.45 GHz During use, continuous

1,000-10,000

1 m

Outdoor

Itron smart meter, front

Peak902-928 MHzIntermittent1 min/day every 30 min

up to 8 min/day every 3-10 s

100-10,000

Varies

Cell phone base station Continuous exposure

100-10,000

0.5 m

Wi-Fi router, PC card2.4 GHzContinuous exposure

4,250

 Swiss Ordinance (2000) 900 MHzCell towers in sensitive areas

2,400

 Ukraine Safety Guidelines Radio, TV,Cell towers in sensitive areas

200-2,000

1 m

Cordless phone base stationDECTContinuous exposure

200-2,000

30 cm

RF baby monitorDECTDuring use, continuous

200-2,000

1 m

New microwave oven2.45 GHzDuring use, continuous

10-100

1 m

Indoor

Itron smart meter, back

 

Peak902-928 MHzIntermittent 1 min/day every 30 min

up to 8 min/day every 3-10 s

50-100

Varies

Health effects observed in populations near cell towers (Kundi 2009)
Cardiac effects, headaches, sleep problems

100

100

Outdoor

Salzburg Resolution (2000)
BioInitiative Report (2007)

> 100

Indoor

Significant Concern” Building Biology Guidelines for Sleeping Areas (SBM-2008)

17

 Seletun Consensus Statement (2010)

10

Indoor

BioInitiative Report (2007)

10

 Precautionary reference value for very low radar exposure according to testing specialist Wolfgang Kessel (Germany)Intermittent exposure
Pulse repetition time > 10 s

1-100

Indoor

Severe Concern” Building Biology Guidelines for Sleeping Areas (SBM-2008)

up to 2.5

 Precautionary reference value for low radar exposure according to
Ecolog Institute (Germany)
Intermittent exposureEvery 1 s

1

Outdoor

Salzburg Public Health Department (2002)

1

Indoor

Largest number of credit points for indoor environment (TQB 2009)Green building rating system(Austria)

0.01-1

Indoor

Slight Concern” Building Biology Guidelines for Sleeping Areas (SBM-2008)

0.1

Indoor

Salzburg Public Health Department (2002)

< 0.01

Indoor

No Concern” Building Biology Guidelines for Sleeping Areas (SBM-2008)

0.000 001

0.000 000 001

 Natural background (30 MHz-30 GHz): stormy sunNatural background (30 MHz-30 GHz): quiet sun

© 2011 Katharina Gustavs www.buildingbiology.ca

 

* Near-field exposure from handsets. All listed exposure guidelines apply to far-field exposure situations.

Appendix C: Resources and References

RF Exposure Guidelines for the General Public

USA: FCC Maximum Permissible Exposure at 900 MHz: 6,000,000 µW/m2 or 600 µW/cm2

Canada: Safety Code 6 at 900 MHz: 6,000,000 µW/m2 or 600 µW/cm2

References

British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (Canada)

Assessment of Radio Frequency (RF) Emissions from BC Hydro Smart Meters (2010)
http://www.bccdc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/43EF885D-8211-4BCF-8FA9-0B34076CE364/0/June92011_BCCDCReport_BCHydroSmartMeters.pdf

BC Hydro (utility of British Columbia, Canada)

Understanding Radio Frequency and BC Hydro’s Smart Meters
http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/smi/smi_RadioFrequency_SmartMeters.Par.0001.File.smi-RadioFrequency-SmartMeters.pdf

Smart Metering & Infrastructure Program—Business Case
http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/smi/smi_business_case.Par.0001.File.smi_business_case.pdf

Electric Power Research Institute

An Investigation of Radiofrequency Fields Associated with the Itron Smart Meter (2010)
http://mydocs.epri.com/docs/CorporateDocuments/Newsletters/ENV/QN-2011-02/07-060c.html

Radio-Frequency Exposure Levels from Smart Meters: A Case Study of One Model (2011)
http://www.demandresponsesmartgrid.org/Resources/Documents/Reports-Govt-NFP/EPRI_RF%20Exposure%20from%20Smart%20Meters_Summary%20Report_FEB%202011.pdf

Itron, Inc.

Analysis of Biological Hazards from Exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) Radiation (2007)

Itron White Paper
Wireless Transmissions: An Examination of OpenWay Smart Meter Transmissions in a 24-Hour Duty Cycle (2011) https://www.itron.com/na/PublishedContent/OpenWay%20Wireless%20Transmissions_24%20Hour%20Duty%20Cycle.pdf

OpenWay® Radio Frequency and Safety Compliance
Prepared by Itron, Inc. on behalf of BC Hydro
https://www.itron.com/na/resourcesAndSupport/Documents/OpenWay_Radio_Frequency_and_Safety_Compliance.pdf

Richard Tell Associates, Inc.

An Analysis of Radiofrequency Fields Associated with Operation of the Hydro One Smart Meter System (2010)
http://www.hydroone.com/MyHome/MyAccount/MyMeter/Documents/Smart_Meters_Report_on_RFE.pdf

Sage Associates

Assessment of Radiofrequency Microwave Radiation Emissions from Smart Meters (2010)
http://sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/

Precautionary Guidelines

BionInitiative Report (2007)
http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/index.htm

Building Biology Evaluation Guidelines for Sleeping Areas (SBM-2008)
http://www.baubiologie.de/downloads/english/richtwerte_2008_englisch.pdf

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines (1998)
http://www.icnirp.de/documents/emfgdl.pdf

Salzburg Public Health Department (Austria 2002)
http://www.salzburg.gv.at/konfliktmanagement_salzburger_modell.pdf

Seletun Consensus Statement (2010)
http://iemfa.org/index.php/publications/seletun-resolution

TQB Green Building Rating System (Austria 2009)
https://www.oegnb.net/tqb.htm

Wolfgang Kessel: Radar – Eine unterschätzte Gefahr. In Elektromagnetische Verträglichkeit Energieversorgung & Mobilfunk. 3rd EMC Conference of the VDB 2004, p. 195.
http://www.baubiologie.net/uploads/media/2004_3._EMV_Themen_Inhalt.pdf

Ecolog Institute http://www.ecolog-institut.de/index.php?id=42
Wolfgang Kessel http://www.cuprotect-shieldingsystems.eu

Legally Binding Safety Standards

Canada Safety Code 6
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/radiation/radio_guide-lignes_direct-eng.php

Swiss Ordinance on Protection from Non-Ionizing Radiation (NISV 2000) http://www.bafu.admin.ch/elektrosmog/01100/01101/index.html?lang=de or
http://www.electric-fields.bris.ac.uk/SwissOrdNIR.pdf

Ukraine Health and Safety Standard (1996)
http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?page=1&nreg=z0488-96

1 BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF), published August 2007

2 Health Impacts of Radio Frequency Exposure From Smart Meters, April 2011 – Final Report, California Council on Science and Technology (CCST)