Living Nightmare: How
SDG&E Smart Meter Led to Headaches, Hearing Loss
Who would think that a
utility company would come on your property and install something dangerous and
leave it there?
August 15, 2011
One day in the middle
of May 2010, SDG&E workers came to my La Mesa home to
install a new meter for both my gas and electric service. They did the
same for my neighbors. I remember their trucks and the boxes on the
sidewalk. How quickly they did it and left. How we turned off our computer and
TV to prevent a power surge.
When we least expect it,
life sets us a challenge, it is sometimes said.
I really didn't pay much
attention to these installations, assuming that they were similar to the old
ones, just digital. Boy, was I wrong. As an active, retired educator, I
never expected that the challenge would come in the form of harmful radiation
coming from these new utility "smart" meters installed by SDG&E.
But that is just what has happened.
Please note that everyone
in our county and throughout SDG&E's territory had these
installed in the past year and a half, except for a handful of people. None of
us were told of any risks.
Shortly after, when I
began to have ringing ears and sleeplessness, I wondered why but kept thinking
it would disappear. I'd hear ringing in my ears no matter what time of day.
Even in the night, and it would be more apparent when it was quiet, it seemed.
At night, I'd wake up
suddenly around 2:00 or 2:30 AM, the same time every night, wide awake, and
have trouble getting back to sleep for several hours. Some nights I didn't
sleep much at all, just a couple of hours.
This was also occuring to
other members of the household, at times. There were peculiar symptoms that
some of us experienced that we could not explain but was making life very
complicated.
Last summer was a rough
time as a result. There were some headaches. I spent time reading in my
room, something I like to do to relax. By fall, things didn't get any better,
but worse.
Add to the list, by
October, a rapidly growing skin cancer on my face, looked like a largish
pencil eraser, you could practically watch it grow ... and it hurt.
The doctors took a bit of
time to schedule me in and removed it in January — cut it out, leaving a scar.
By the end of November, I noticed in addition to the ringing ears and
other symptoms, that I suddenly was extremely nauseous, dizzy, and developing
headaches when I used my computer or cell phone.
I'd always kept a
good distance from the cell phone for safety sake, used speaker mode,
but that wasn't helping.
In frustration, I called a
local environmental doctor I'd seen for a workplace mold
exposure many years before. I remembered he knew something about
electro-sensitivities and thought he might know what was going on. I told him
about the computer and cell phone reactions, but nothing else, as I didn't
think those things were pertinent. Wrong again.
He asked if I had a smart
meter on the house.
I said, "Yes, but
what does that have to do with it?" I thought he was changing the subject.
He asked if I had any other symptoms and went down a list that included the
ringing ears, sleeping problems, and more ... He said that a number of his
patients were reporting these same symptoms after installation.
During the few days before
I got into see this doctor, I wrote and called SDG&E, with a negative
response to my requests to remove the smart meters.
While seeing the doctor, I
was shocked to learn more about the new SDG&E meters, that
they emitted pulsed RF radiation, something experts warn about, and that
many other people in California had the same symptoms after installations of
the meters. Further, my electric meter was right near the place where my head
lay on the pillow, less than a foot, on the exterior wall. That was very
unsettling.
But I felt confident that
I could solve this problem as the doctor wrote me a letter that strongly
demanded SDG&E remove the meter and replace with an analog as it was
causing medical problems for me. In addition, he cited the Americans With
Disabilities Act, as I qualified for that category.
He provided me with a
handful of current peer-reviewed scientific studies that showed this type of
radiation and frequency was associated with the exact set of symptoms I had
experienced.
I went home, letter and
studies in hand, and filed a complaint with SDG&E and the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), attaching my doctor's letter.
My husband and I moved out
of the master bedroom, temporarily, to wait for the meter to be removed. I
bought shielding for my computer, to be able to use it.
Meanwhile, I made numerous
calls to SDG&E. Some left me in tears. It was very troubling to be
emphatically told by the SDG&E representatives over the phone that the
meters were perfectly safe and were mandated by the state CPUC. I called the
state CPUC and they claimed that the federal government was making them mandate
these for the state.
Then, they changed their
story. The CPUC admitted that it had authorized the use of wireless smart
meters, not mandated them. SDG&E never backed down from their stance that
everyone was going to have them, there was no "opting" out. I waited
for my letters to be arrived and acted on.
Eventually, I received a
reply, within a week from SDG&E and about a month or more from the CPUC.
Both sent what appeared to be personalized form letters, both denied the
possibility of harm from the meters, and both said there was no chance of
having the meters removed from my home. I remember bursting into tears when
reading these.
It was inconceivable to me
that my home, my haven, would be polluted with dangerous radiation that was
making me ill and no one in charge of these devices cared at all or would
remove them. Ever. My doctor was shocked that they would ignore his
letter.
As I researched this
problem, for the first time in my life, I knew I was facing what seemed like a
challenge without any recourse. And to top things off, the sensitivities to
what turned out to be RF radiation, were getting worse by the month. I could
not use my computer for several weeks, no more cell phone use, I had to strictly
avoid all wireless and RF radiation sources.
My life seemed turned
upside down. Headaches, when going near the electric meter, in particular,
inside or outside, were progressing into the most severe I'd ever
imagined, lasting for up to three days, with chills and dizziness, memory
problems ... Sleeping problems continued, the ringing of the ears got
more intense till the sound actually hurt and there was loud clicking in
my right ear. I later learned this was called "microwave click" from
RF radiation exposure.
During several
weeks, pain in the right ear was like someone stabbing it. I
went to the doctor a lot during this time, to my primary doctor and the
environmental doctor, when I could.
Both were supportive and
avoidance seemed to be their main suggestions. I stopped going in the
master bedroom to obtain clothing and other belongings as needed. I had to ask
other family members to get them and move them out into another room.
An ear, nose and throat
doctor diagnosed me with significant hearing loss in the painful ear and
hearing loss in both ears, noting that it was a result of exposure to
electromagnetic fields. He commented that he had some other patients like this,
and to avoid the meters. The ringing ears continued.
I was determined to get
help, but must tell you how awful it felt to be dismissed so mercilessly
by SDG&E and CPUC. It seemed like a living nightmare. I kept
calling and writing SDG&E and CPUC, without any help being given. We were
still living outside of our master bedroom and bathroom — and in a small house,
this was causing problems.
After talking with a
number of activists and experts, including scientists, around the state
who had more information than me, I scheduled several consultations with
electrical engineers with a specialty in RF radiation. They advised that
certain metals are what work to shield from the radiation.
A series of experiments
resulted, with me trying out their suggestions, to see if anything
worked. We shielded, following their directions, behind the meter on the
interior wall. This gave relief from the shrill, high-pitched ringing that was
painful, it reduced it to a lower level. We still could not occupy the bedroom.
In fact, things were
getting worse for me by the month, as I would get an immediate headache and
sinuses swelled shut, heart palpitations (typical of RF radiation
reactions to overexposures), it seemed like my immune system was saying,
"hey, stay away."
I was a slow learner. I
remember trying about twelve times in three months to enter the room, running
in for just seconds. Didn't work. Headaches for three days. Sick often and had
to cancel activities.
I felt increasingly like
this was incredible and there HAD to be a way to get this problem solved.
Learned about many others, in fact, thousands and thousands of others had filed
officially with CPUC on these very health issues related to the smart meters.
By March and April, I
watched online as the ill ones went twice a month into the CPUC meetings and
explained their symptoms in tears or anger to the very uncaring CPUC
commissioners, in the one minute each was given. I cried with them, watching. I
kept thinking, this cannot be happening in America. Then the thoughts came: We
cannot let this keep happening in America.
Many Northern Californians
knew about the problem of the smart meters and radiation — being
more environmentally aware and not trusting PG&E, their local utility,
after years of other types of problems, such as the poisoning of the town
of Hinkley, CA (memorialized in the movie Erin Brokovich).
They had activists
protesting smart meters, laying down in front of trucks sent out to install the
meters, with news articles by the hundreds. In Northern California, I was
encouraged that local governments, inspired by passionate activists, became
concerned about protecting the health and safety of their citizens and passed
ordinances to ban or even criminalize the installation of smart meters.
The numbers grew - 20 - 30
- 40, including many major counties, such as Marin. There was even a smart meter
bill in our state legislature, to effect a moratorium. As I suffered adjusting
to the new life without use of my full home, and the changes in my health, I
pondered all this.
Southern Californians
didn’t have anyone who knew anything, no media coverage except for glowing
articles about how wonderful our lives would be with the new meters — straight
from the utilities' brochures.
No one I knew was
informed, and it was hard to explain so they would be. Who would think that a
utility company would come on your property and install something dangerous and
leave it there?
I learned how
the mesh network of these meters emit so much radiation it is like a
blanket on our neighborhoods and even the rural areas now have it, and at
higher levels, as the signals are stronger to cover the distances. I learned
that people with pacemakers and implants were at risk for rf radiation
interfering with the functioning of their devices.
I wanted to feel well
again. I was in a daily struggle. At the same time, I didn't
want the state of California to be polluted with this new form of smog —
electrosmog, impacting the public health, our pets, and wildlife.
I learned that a hundred
million dollars of our Recovery Act funding had come down the pike quickly,
funding much of the wireless meter development in a hasty manner, with
environmental, health and safety testing waived by the
CPUC. Recovery Act funds had paid for millions of meter readers to
lose their jobs and the new meters to be made in China. That growing
thousands of Californians were sick and some were worse off than me,
even younger ones, with heart attack symptoms and more, die-offs
being reported in some areas. Government steadfastly refusing to help in
our state and some others where smart meters were also being rolled
out.
I began to get headaches
from sleeping in the spare room at the end by the smart meter, so had to begin
sleeping on the couch. My husband and I, together for nearly 40 years, no
longer able to sleep together.
I learned to avoid the
smart meter at all times, keeping at least 12-15-20 feet away, and not use 1/3
of my house or yard. I learned how to force myself to accept that for the time
being, but not for the rest of my life. I felt improved by doing so, but
still had lower level ringing in the ears, enough to wake me up at night, and
some sleeplessness, dizziness, low-level headaches.
Other people had to be
ill, too, in Southern California. They would never suspect the meters, as I had
not.
I was trying to take care
of myself while worrying about the bigger picture and public health problem. I
learned of more people with very close exposures at night, on bedroom walls. Some
of these were children, some I knew.
The So CA media I called
were resistant to articles on the topic. I made a website and gathered the
scientific information I was directed to by experts, placing it all in one
place, www.smartmeterdangers.org. Less
than ten people in our county knew something about the smart meter
problems.
I was trying to live as
normally as possible in the face of this challenge, but was now living in the
middle of my home, away from both smart meters (one at each end). Something
more had to be done. This could not become the new normal, even if people
didn't realize the dangers.
Then, in the midst of
this, I found out that Helix Water District planned (very soon) to
cover its territory with water smart meters, adding to the radiation. They had
a large pilot study on Mt. Helix, 322 smart meters had been there for the past
year. Of course, no one had been told of the risks.
My regular water meter was
in the front of the house. When walking my dog, I'd be walking past all of the
new smart meters they were planning to install. The water district assured me
that it didn't matter as the radiation was low and wouldn't reach the house. I
should stay inside all the time?
I'd heard of people
abandoning their homes and going to live in their cars or tents in
Northern California media stories, due to the radiation reactions. I didn't
want to have this happen to me, here. The water meter would then potentially
cause the middle of my home, the place I was occupying like a studio, to be
unlivable.
This had to be stopped.
I nearly panicked but
then realized I hadn't known in time to stop the deployment of the
SDG&E meters, but I wasn't going to stand by while Helix Water District
finished me off. I had to take a stand, and quickly.
Throughout all of this
time, from early December through April, I kept thinking that this cannot
happen in America. But it was. Something definitely had to be done, more, but
what? I was struggling to stay well and struggling to figure out that answer.
---------------------------------------------------------
SDG&E's answer to me:
Susan Brinchman
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
La Mesa, CA 91942
Re: Account
#xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
December 13,2010
Dear Ms. Brinchman:
I want to follow up on the
December 7, 2010 telephone call to you by my colleague Shannon Ray to discuss
your request for San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) to remove the
electric smart meter installed at your home on May 6, 2010. Thank you for
sharing your questions and concerns about SDG&E’s smart meters. We
understand from your telephone communications, and from the doctor’s letter you
faxed, that you are concerned that the radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic
fields emitted from the smart meter wireless communication equipment could
possibly contribute to your pre-existing health conditions. It is also our
understanding that you declined SDG&E’s offer to take measurements of RF
from the smart meter at your home. [Note: this is inaccurate, as I now do not
trust SDGE, I did not want them INSIDE my home, they could measure from
outside. sb]
SDG&E is committed to
providing safe and reliable service for our customers, as well as a safe work
place for our employees. To this end, we monitor the science concerning
possible effects of RF from smart meters. The information that SDG&E has
reviewed from the scientific community and regulators has not identified that
radio frequencies, at the levels emitted by the smart meters, can cause adverse
health effects. Specifically, we understand from respected agencies such as the
World Health Organization, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, and the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that there has been no demonstration of
either long- or short-term health effects from RF exposure. Vole will continue
to monitor the situation closely and respond as necessary to any new scientific
information and studies released in the future.
As explained on
SDG&E’s Smart Meter website
(http://www.sdge.com/smartmeter/faq.shtml)
the meters near your home transmit a radio frequency only a few times each day
and only for a few seconds each time, for an average total of less than one
minute. When the meters are transmitting, your exposure to RF from the smart
meter is much lower than the exposure from energy than smart meters!
I also wanted to mention
that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has directed SDG&E
to install smart meters at the homes and businesses of all of our customers and
has carefully considered any potential for smart meters to affect health.
SDG&E is a regulated company and required to comply with the CPUC program.
Also, the Americans with Disabilities Act mentioned by your doctor, does not
require SDG&E to remove your smart meter. We received your letter to the
CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch, dated December 8, 2010, and we agree that such a
submission is the next appropriate step in resolution of your request for
removal of the meter at your home. In this regard, SDG&E has carefully
reviewed available factual information, and at this time respectfully declines
your request to remove the smart meter at your home.
Sincerely,
Ted Reguly
Director
SDG&E’s Smart Meter
Program
[Enclosed]
Source: Richard Tell
Associates. Inc
RF Energy Compared to a
Smart Meter from 2 feet:
Microwave oven, two inches
from door, 550 times more
Holding walkie-talkie at
head, 55 – 4,600 times more
Cell phone at head, 3.2
-1.100 times more
Laptop computer, 1.1 – 2.2
times more
Wi-Fi cyber cafe, 1.1 –
2.2 times more
[Note: The Smart Meter is
inches from my head, not two feet. Also, I do not accept the above table, as no
authoritative references are given, and it is too general. Nowhere are the
technology effects for Smart Meters deemed safe. sb]
----------------------------------
Does this sound familiar?
If you have had a similar experience following the installation of your
smart meter(s) or know of someone who has, please tell us about it in a
comment below this article. If you do not want to have a smart meter, tell us
about it and why. For more information, go to www.electrosmogprevention.org.
Write your local city/town councils, our County Board of
Supervisors, SDG&E, and CPUC .
Send a copy to info@electrosmogprevention.org for
multiple ratepayer submission to the CPUC, and ken.stone@patch.com, noting whether you
will allow publication in the Patch. Be sure to include your full contact
information in any complaints and your SDG&E account number.
