Just the Facts, Man

In response to this news article:  Michigan 'smart meter' hearing elicits fears, this is what I wrote to the Editor of the Detroit News and the author of the article:

Dear Editor and Mike Gerstein (writer),

"Studies" may have shown our "concerns are unfounded", however experience has not. 

Michigan has never before had over 2 million so-called "smart" and/or electronic public utility meters installed.  Ever.  So logically, experience should override "studies". 

And there's a big difference between experience, and fears.  Take a look at the testimonies of people who attended the 2014 Michigan Oversight Committee hearing on smart meters.  They were talking about experience, for the most part.  Not fears. 

Part 1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q12IbEtTrwk

Part 2:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJE0flyzv-Y

As was stated at yesterday's Energy Committee hearing, industry-funded studies predominantly "don't show any associated health risks."  While NON-industry-funded studies DO show "associated health risks."  So who are you going to believe?

DTE's opt-out fees are HIGHER than you reported, and even the digital opt-out meter collects granulated data that is downloaded by DTE when they read the meter. 

And Kurmas admitted that it was like "standing next to their old analog meter."  Some consider this an invasion of privacy, that the utility company will be able to know exactly how much electricity one is using, and exactly when.

You wrote, "it's not clear if the meters pose an increased cancer risk."  So who is the utility company to determine if I want to subject myself to a possible increased risk of cancer? 

I can choose to expose myself to the radiofrequency radiation of a cell phone, or not.  I can choose to expose myself to the potentially carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke, or not.  I would like to RETAIN the RIGHT to choose my (potential) carcinogens, and smart meters emit a potential carcinogen. 

The "older equipment" lasts at least twice as long as the new equipment, smart meters, so when utility companies talk about "maintaining older equipment," they're talking about LESS maintenance than smart meters.

HB 4220 would not only protect my property rights, it would protect my privacy and my right to choose the carcinogens I'm exposed to.

Jeanine Deal

Battle Creek, MI

Senator Thune & 5G Technology

Letter to Senator Thune in response to Kevin Mottus's request in the above video (at about 5 minutes in):

January 23, 2017 

Dear Senator Thune, 

Topic selected was "Telecommunications and the Internet" because it was the closest to the topic I wish to address, which is the Mobile Now Act, 5G technology, and wireless radiation health effects. 

We know that people are getting brain tumors from cell phones, and neurological effects from other electronic and wireless technology (smart meters, WiFi, cell towers, antenna, etc). 

The Mobile Now Act, which you have introduced, will put 5G technology, high frequency microwave radiation into our environment, and will certainly make even more people sick. 

This high frequency radiation has never been tested for biological effects.  Because it pulses more, and has more waves per second, people will get sicker, faster, with 5G technology. 

Current safety standards are sorely inadequate. 

Here are a few links to critical information concerning health effects from wireless and electronic technology: 

• National Toxicology Program (study on cell phones): http://bit.ly/2hvug6T
• EMF Scientist (international electromagnetic field scientist appeal):  http://bit.ly/1jhlVRF
• EMF Portal (scientific research data):  http://bit.ly/2cbd82p
• SaferEMR.com (Electromagnetic Radiation Safety):  http://bit.ly/2iXpuQX 

Please do everything to can to assure the safety of the people of America by stopping the Mobile Now Act, stopping the 5G roll-out, stopping the smart meter roll-out, and invoking the Precautionary Principle in regards to all wireless and electronic technology. 

Most Sincerely, 

Jeanine Deal

I encourage YOU to call or write Senator Thune also.  Feel free to use my letter, though it would be better if you stated it in your own words.

Bless us all! 

I Am Hopeful

Last night I went to a Conservative Republican convention, called "Battle Cry Michigan," held at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant.

I had been invited to sit at the "Utility Meter Choice 4 Michigan" vendor table, and chat with people as they stopped, and I'm really glad I went.  

I voted 3rd party, not for Trump, however, I loved the energy of the people in that convention room.

They were hopeful, confident, and resolved.

They were certain that life for Americans would get better, that endless wars would begin to diminish, and that America would become "fair" again, among other things.  And they seemed determined to help make it all happen, as well.

Most of the people who stopped at the Utility Meter Choice 4 Michigan table agreed with us: 

Michigan public utility customers need an analog choice when it comes to utility metering.

Several had already formed an opinion of "smart" and electronic public utility meters.  Some of the comments I heard:

"This is how they can hack into our homes."

"They create a privacy issue."  

"They mess with my radio."

 "I've seen them at fires."

"Of course they mess with our central nervous system."

These were professional people, for the most part, making these comments.  How refreshing to be among so many people who saw beyond the rhetoric of "smart," electronic, and wireless technology.

Some even knew of the link between wireless technology and cancer.

Those who had not already contacted their Michigan state representatives and senators regarding analog choice legislation, promised to do so.  

And a few had already seen the excellent "smart" meter documentary, "Take Back Your Power," by Josh Del Sol. 

It was a "feel-good" evening, making me very hopeful for the future of utility meter choice legislation in Michigan.

 [Update October 25, 2020:  The bill number for no-fee analog choice legislation introduced in 2020 is HB 5606.] 

May we all be blessed!

Furthermore...

Since the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, said they would take unlimited comments (until December 12, 2016), I submitted the following written comment after giving my oral comment (here).

The evidence of harm is rather overwhelming.

I pray that 2017 is the year Analog Utility Meter Choice legislation is passed in Michigan, and anywhere else citizens are asking for a choice.

~

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is in addition to my first comment, submitted at the December 5, 2016 call-in Listening Session.

Please invoke the precautionary principle in regards to the proliferation of wireless technology:  Precautionary principle - Wikipedia

"The precautionary principle (or precautionary approach) to risk management states that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public, or to the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus (that the action or policy is not harmful), the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those taking an action that may or may not be a risk."

Harm from wireless and electronic technology is becoming epidemic, as you witnessed on the December 5, 2016 Listening Session call, when 83% of the comments were about this very topic.

We Are The Evidence:  Home 

The numbers of people adversely affected by wireless and electronic technology continues to grow.  There are at least ten electromagnetic-hypersensitivity (EHS) "support groups" on social media (Facebook), populated by people like me, who have become sensitive to, and functionally impaired by, wireless and/or electronic technology.  Many of us became so severely ill that we questioned whether life is worth living.  Some of us take refuge and sleep in our cars, or in the woods, away from wireless and electronic technology.

At least one young woman has already taken her life after WiFi was installed in her school:  Parents of schoolgirl Jenny Fry are campaigning to have WiFi restricted in schools following her death

The "International EMF Scientist Appeal" to His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has been signed by 223 professionals from 43 different nations. These scientists have collectively published over 2,000 peer-reviewed papers on the biological and health effects of non-thermal electromagnetic radiation, and are calling for "more protective EMF guidelines" in regards to wireless and electronic technology.

Dr. Martin Blank, from the Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at Columbia University, says, "We are scientists and engineers, and I am here to tell you - we have created something that is harming us, and it is getting out of control! Putting it bluntly, they are damaging the living cells in our bodies and killing many of us prematurely.”  EMFScientist.org 

STUDY - Electromagnetic hypersensitivity - an increasing challenge to the medical profession: Some people exposed to electromagnetic radiation, including the frequencies utilized by the new water meters, develop Electromagnetic hypersensitivity. While some cannot discriminate between an active radio frequency signal and placebo, others showed observable changes following exposure; reactions in the pupil, changes in heart rhythm, damage to red blood cells, and disturbed glucose metabolism in the brain:  Electromagnetic hypersensitivity--an increasing challenge to the medical profession. - PubMed - NCBI 

STUDY - Self-reporting of symptom development from exposure to radiofrequency fields of wireless smart meters in Victoria, Australia: a case series: Shows the most frequently reported symptoms to be insomnia, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive disturbances, abnormal sensations, and dizziness, and pointed to the possibility that smart meters may have unique characteristics that lower people's threshold for symptom development:  Self-reporting of symptom development from exposure to radiofrequency fields of wireless smart meters in victoria, australia: a case series. - PubMed - NCBI 

Comments on the Draft Report by the California Council on Science & Technology “Health Impacts of Radio Frequency from Smart Meters,” by Daniel Hirsh, Nuclear Expert & Lecturer, University of California, Santa Cruz: Showing that smart meters produce between 50 & 160 times more cumulative whole body exposure than the cell phone:  Health Impacts of Radio Frequency from Smart Meters

Adolescents in the U.S. today have grown up with cell phones, and now their number one form of cancer is brain tumors:  Brain tumors now the most frequent form of cancer in U.S. adolescents

“In general, while the possibility of ‘non-thermal’ biological effects may exist, whether or not such effects might indicate a human health hazard is not presently known.” -  That quote is from the FCC Bulletin Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields:  Questions and Answers About Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radio-frequency Electromagnetic Fields

“Not presently known,” means that they (the FCC) really doesn't know.  We have been jumping off the dock into dark water without knowing what was underneath!

Campanelli & Associates, P.C., anti-cell-tower lawyers in  New York   State , pose the question on their web site: Isn’t the FCC protecting us?  Their answer:   “No.  To the contrary, the FCC has employed, and continues to employ its power to assist the wireless industry…”  Isn't the FCC Protecting Us? 

FCC standards have been considered by some local government agencies as a "safety net" when in fact, they are not.

Microwave Electromagnetic Fields Act by Activating Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels: Why the Current International Safety Standards Do Not Predict Biological Hazard:  Microwave Electromagnetic Fields Act by Activating Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels: Why the Current International Safety Standards Do Not Predict Biological Hazard

Report of Partial Findings from the National Toxicology Program Carcinogenesis Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation in Hsd: Sprague Dawley® SD rats (Whole Body Exposures):  Report of Partial Findings from the National Toxicology Program

Reliable disease biomarkers characterizing and identifying electrohypersensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity as two etiopathogenic aspects of a unique pathological disorder:  Reliable disease biomarkers

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine's view of smart meter microwave radiation and how they OPPOSE smart meters being installed on homes:  "Emissions given off by 'smart meters' have been classified by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Possible Human Carcinogen. Hence, we call for: (1) An immediate moratorium on 'smart meter' installation until these serious public health issues are resolved.  Continuing with their installation would be extremely irresponsible.  (2) Modify the revised proposed decision to include hearings on health impact in the second proceedings, along with cost evaluation and community wide opt-out.  (3) Provide immediate relief to those requesting it and restore the analog meters."

American Academy of Environmental Medicine

The American Cancer Society's International Agency for Research on Cancer's view that cell phone radiation is "possibly carcinogenic," (and the radiation from a smart meter is compared to cell phones by the smart meter industry):  IARC Classifies Radiofreqency Electromagnetic Fields as Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans

Wireless Radiation Danger to Babies and Children (video of The Babysafe Press Conference): Wireless Radiation Danger to Babies & Children

The BioInitiative Report:  "...1800 or so new studies report abnormal gene transcription (Section 5); genotoxicity and single-and double-strand DNA damage (Section 6); stress proteins because of the fractal RF-antenna like nature of DNA (Section 7); chromatin condensation and loss of DNA repair capacity in human stem cells (Sections 6 and 15); reduction in free-radical scavengers – particularly melatonin (Sections 5, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17); neurotoxicity in humans and animals (Section 9), carcinogenicity in humans (Sections 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17); serious impacts on human and animal sperm morphology and function (Section 18); effects on offspring behavior (Section 18, 19 and 20); and effects on brain and cranial bone development in the offspring of animals that are exposed to cell phone radiation during pregnancy (Sections 5 and 18). This is only a snapshot of the evidence presented in the BioInitiative 2012 updated report."  Conclusions from the BioInitiative Report 2012

The "Electrosensitive Society" gives a brief history of this "illness":  

The term “radio wave sickness” was first used by Russian doctors to describe an occupational illness developed by large numbers of workers exposed to microwave or radiofrequency radiation. The symptoms were called “neurasthenic.” “Neurasthenia” was an older term for this group of symptoms, which was coined by an American physician, George Beard, in 1868, to describe a new type of illness that followed the building of the railroads and the telegraph system in this country.

The illness was particularly common among telegraph, and later among telephone operators. The term “neurasthenia” fell out of fashion in the twentieth century in North America, when this cluster of symptoms, or a large number of them, began to be referred to as “anxiety” symptoms, presumably of purely psychological origin. Illness by radio waves has been rediscovered, and is now classed with illness caused by electricity in general, under the term “electrical sensitivity.”

The Electrosensitive Society » History of ES and EMF 

Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., Director, Center for Family and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, writes about Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity here:  

Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity 

Microwave syndrome or electro-hypersensitivity - historical background:   The microwave syndrome or electro-hypersensitivity: historical background. - PubMed - NCBI

Please invoke the precautionary principle in regards to wireless and electronic technology.  Please help protect those of us who already feel the adverse health affects from wireless and electronic technology.  Please help protect our children and future generations.

Most Sincerely,

Jeanine S. Deal

Devil in the Details

When public utility companies tell us their new electronic meters (smart, advanced, digital, AMR, AMI, AMR ERT, to name a few NON-analog meters) only transmit for a very short period of time per day/week/month/year, you gotta look at the details.

Recently I answered a question about a new electronic gas meter that "only turns on for a fraction of a second per day," per the utility company.

This was my response (names have been changed to protect the innocent):

Hi Brandon 

Under "signal duration" they compare "a fraction of second per day" for the gas advanced meters, to "less than one minute per day" for the electric smart meters. 

We know that the electric smart meter's transmissions are made up of numerous micro-bursts of radiation throughout the day, which added together, total "less than one minute" per day.  

Is it the same for (the) advanced gas meter?  Is the "fraction of a second" transmission they mention, one continuous (uninterrupted) pulse?  Or (more likely) is that fraction of a second made up of more than one pulse?   

There are 1000 milliseconds in one second.  So their advanced gas meters could be pulsing 999 times per day (at the most), in millisecond bursts, to make up the "fraction of a second" signal duration.  This is something I would press them to answer. 

FYI, our new gas meters, called AMR ERT, pulse in 5.86 millisecond burst, over 15,000 times per day, to make up their 1.5 minutes per day of transmissions.  I did the math here:  Utility Companies, Lies, Deceptions, Cover-Ups & Fires

Numerous mini-pulses or micro-bursts of radiation, 24/7, is what many experts say is so damaging to the body.  They nearly killed me.  Our dogs were adversely affected also, until we wrapped the meters in lead, because there's no "opt-out". 

There are no studies that show smart or advanced meters are 100% safe, while evidence of harm continues to mount. 

Also, the FCC is not a health regulatory agency, and their exposure limits are being contested.  Cell phones are voluntary, and can be turned off.  Smart and advanced meters expose us to unnecessary radiation.  They also operate at the same frequency as cell phones, and the safety of cell phones is questionable:  Cell Phones 

All the best,

Jeanine Deal

Disdain vs. Concern

Perry Hart, the Director of Public Works here in Battle Creek, returned my phone call regarding the Water Department's new electronic water meters.  In his phone message, he stated, "I understand your disdain for our read devices."  

The definition of disdain is:

The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.

Disdain does not describe my feelings around new electronic public utility meters.  I realized that I do not like it when people put words into my mouth, words that I never said.  So I wrote him, hoping to give him some clarity to the real gravity of this issue:

Dear Mr. Hart, 

I listened to your phone message, and you are wrong.  I do not "disdain" your "read devices."  Disdain has nothing to do with my issue.

I have multiple valid concerns about your read devices, Mr. Hart.  I have concerns about health, and a disability in the form of a functional impairment that some people have.  A functional impairment triggered by wireless devices and/or electromagnetic fields.  We Are The Evidence 

I have concerns about a loss of freedom, Mr. Hart.  Having to pay to not be exposed to something that causes me and others a functional impairment is a loss of freedom.  Having to pay to not be exposed to wireless devices and electromagnetic fields is a loss of freedom.  My Ability - Revised

I have concerns about human rights also, Mr. Hart.  I am/we are loosing the right to a safe environment. 

And it's about ignorance, Mr. Hart.  It's about government agencies ignoring all the science proving non-ionizing radiation is not 100% safe.

So you see, Mr. Hart, disdain has nothing to do with my issue.

My concerns are for health, a disability in the form of a functional impairment, freedom, human rights, and ignorance.

Perhaps the "disdain" that you "understand" is your own disdain, Mr. Hart.

Most Sincerely,

Jeanine Deal

 "When you make a world tolerable for yourself,

you make a world tolerable for others."

~ Anais Nin

My Ability - Revised

Below is the actual comment I gave at the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, Listening Session on December 5, 2016.  I was the fifth person to comment, and at least one person who commented before me mentioned being on the brink of suicide due to extreme sensitivity to wireless technology and/or electromagnetic fields.

There were 23 comments given, and 83% of the comments were about sensitivity to wireless technology and/or electromagnetic fields.  Most of those who commented about electromagnetic sensitivity mentioned new electronic public utility meters as the trigger for their sensitivity.  

New electronic public utility meters are also known as "smart," digital, advanced, wireless, AMI, AMR, AMR ERT... the list goes on.  Non-electronic public utility meters are called "analog."

~

To:  The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)

Re:  NIDILRR 2018-2023 Long-Range Plan - Stakeholder Listening Session

What issues (barriers) make it challenging for you to be an active member of your community?

Answer:  I have become extremely sensitive to, and thereby, functionally impaired by, some electromagnetic fields including radiofrequency radiation from wireless technology (cell phones, electronic public utility meters, WiFi, and more).

My extreme sensitivity began after two new electronic AMR ERT natural gas public utility meters were installed at my home.  Because radiation is cumulative, I believe the continuous pulses of radiofrequency radiation from the new meters triggered my extreme sensitivity.

I, too, had begun to question if life was worth living.

The symptoms described in studies about myelin sheath damage are consistent with the symptoms I experienced after the new electronic public utility meters were installed at my home.

Some Research:

• Myelin & Electrohypersensitivity EMFacts Consultancy - http://www.emfacts.com/2014/09/myelin-electrohypersensitivty-press-release/
• PubMed - Could myelin damage from RF exposure explain electrohypersensitivity - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25205214
• Dr. Magda Havas - MS and EHS - Jan 2011 - http://www.magdahavas.com/multiple-sclerosis-and-electrohypersensitivity/

What improvements (name the top one or two) would make your daily life better?

Answer:  The accommodations I want are (1) the choice to keep analog (electromechanical/non-electronic) public utility meters without having to pay extra to do so, and (2) the availability of hospital rooms protected from wireless and other electromagnetic fields.

What has changed, for better or worse, in the last five years that has affected your ability to achieve your goals?

Answer:  Being forced to accept new electronic public utility meters as a condition for natural gas service has affected me for the worse in the last couple of years. 

In November of 2014, our natural gas company installed two new electronic AMR ERT natural gas meters at my home.  I was already avoiding wireless cell phones because of an adverse reaction I experienced from my first cell phone in 2013.  When the utility company installers told us the new meters only transmit one time per month, we did not consider that excessive, and allowed the installations.

Within a few months, though, I started experiencing some unusual and disturbing symptoms (the pain in my "phone ear" returned after being gone for over a year, also I experience rashes, muscle twitches, joint and muscle pain, balance problems/vertigo, brain-fog, extreme insomnia and fatigue, memory problems, inability to read or write, and more). 

When I contacted the utility company for more information about their new electronic meters, the  Regional Operations Manager emailed me with the information that the new meters send signals, not just once per month as we were originally told, but over 450,000 times per month.

We asked the utility company to remove the new electronic meters because they were making me ill, and reinstall the analog meters.  They would not do that.  However, they did offer to remove the new electronic meters and completely disconnect our natural gas service.

We were not prepared to be without natural gas service, and we have no other natural gas provider choice, so we did not have the new meters removed.  Instead, we've shielded the meters with lead (to block the radiation), and we turn electric breakers off at night (to reduce electromagnetic fields).  This enables me to sleep well once again, and slowly recover from the symptoms I've experienced.

If we had not taken these measures, I would not be able to continue living in my own home.

Some experts say it's the continuous pulses of radiation that are particularly disruptive to human biology.

I contacted the Michigan Public Service Commission, the Attorney General's office, and the Better Business Bureau, but no one helped me.

From what I understand, by 2017 our only electric company will also give us no choice but to accept electronic meters as a condition of electric service.  If we refuse the electric company's new meters, the electric company could shut-off our power. 

According to the amended Michigan Public Utility Rules, any utility company can immediately shut-off service, regardless of time of year, if a customer refuses the installation of a new electronic public utility meter.  This discriminates against those who are sensitive to wireless technology or electromagnetic fields.

I spoke at the September 22, 2016 Michigan Public Service Commission hearing on proposed new public utility meter rules.  Ninety-one percent of the people who spoke at that hearing wanted to keep analog public utility meters for various reasons, though mostly for health reasons. 

I've been visiting Lansing, talking with Michigan State Representatives, urging them to support legislation that would allow all public utility customers (natural gas, electric, and water) to keep analog meters on their homes. 

The National Toxicology Program has been conducting experiments in rats and mice on potential health hazards from cell phone radiofrequency radiation.  This is the same frequency new transmitting electronic public utility meters utilize.  The rats in this study experienced whole-body exposure to radiofrequency radiation, as do humans from new transmitting electronic public utility meters.  Preliminary results from the NTP study show low incidents of brain and heart tumors in the male rats.

The #1 improvement that would make my daily life better is having the choice of an analog (non-electronic) public utility meter. 

And if I were ever to be hospitalized in a WiFi saturated room, my condition would most likely become much worse in that environment.  A hospital room protected from wireless technology and low in electromagnetic fields is imperative to me and others functionally impaired by an environment not protected from wireless technology and high in electromagnetic fields.

Other Research:

• https://www.emfscientist.org/
• http://www.bioinitiative.org/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25478801
• http://powerwatch.org.uk/science/studies.asp
• https://www.emf-portal.org/en
• https://www.scribd.com/doc/278888178/Biological-Effects-of-Microwaves-and-Radio-Frequency-Radiation
• https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19810017132.pdf

Respectfully,

Jeanine Deal