• 11 MAY 24

    Smart meter changes – have your say ( From EMR Australia)

    The Australian Government is considering changes to electricity metering that would see smart meters deployed much more widely by 2030 – and you can have a say about it. The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has released its plans in draft form and is seeking submissions until 30 May 2024.
    The draft legislation sets out details about how the accelerated smart meter installation can be achieved. At present it will apply to New South Wales, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory and South Australia. (Victoria already has almost universal smart meter coverage; Tasmania has its own accelerated smart meter program and Western Australia and Northern Territory have their own meterage regulations.) Most smart meters emit radiofrequency (wireless) radiation, but there will still be an option for using Type 4A non-communicating meters.
    EMR Australia believes there are some significant flaws in the draft legislation. SNIP

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    • 19 MAY 21

    Mystery neurological illness cluster New Brunswick, Canada

    New Brunswick Cluster of Neurological Syndrome of Unknown Cause Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, New Brunswick   The Province of New Brunswick is collaborating with local and national subject matter experts and health-care providers to investigate a group of individuals who are experiencing signs and symptoms of a neurological syndrome of unknown

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    • 23 APR 20

    New paper: Building science and radiofrequency radiation: What makes smart and healthy buildings

    Excerpt: Radiofrequency radiation (RFR), used for wireless communications and “smart” building technologies, including the “Internet of Things,” is increasing rapidly. As both RFR exposures and scientific evidence of harmful effects increase apace, it is timely to heed calls to include low RFR levels as a performance indicator for the health, safety and well-being of occupants and the environment.Adverse biochemical and biological effects at commonly experienced RFR levels indicate that exposure guidelines for the U.S., Canada and other countries are inadequate to protect public health and the environment.Some industry liability insurance providers do not offer coverage against adverse health effects from radiation emitted by wireless technologies, and insurance authorities deem potential liability as “high.” Internationally, governments have enacted laws, and medical and public health authorities have issued recommendations, to reduce and limit exposure to RFR.There is an urgent need to implement strategies for no- or low-RFR emitting technologies, and shielding, in building design and retrofitting. These strategies include installing wired (not wireless) Internet networks, corded rather than cordless phones, and cable or wired connections in building systems (e.g., mechanical, lighting, security). Building science can profit from decades of work to institute performance parameters, operationalizing prudent guidelines and best practices. The goal is to achieve RFR exposures that are ALARA, “As Low As Reasonably Achievable.”…SNIP

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    • 03 SEP 19

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Sleep Disruption: Evidence that both powerfrequency and radiofrequency magnetic fields may be a co-factor to investigate in treatments.

    Practically all of the ongoing controversy over the possible biological effects of human exposure to both power frequency and radiofrequency fields has focussed on thermal effects and the risk of cancer. However, during a conversation with Yuri Grigorev, from the Russian National Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (RNCNIRP) he mentioned that the ‘West’ had taken the wrong tack by focussing on cancer. He (and the RNCNIRP) considered that the main effect was effects on the immune system, which could lead to any number of illnesses. This paper looks at chronic exposures to both Power-frequency and Radio-frequency emissions. Titled: “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Sleep Disruption: Evidence that both powerfrequency and radiofrequency magnetic fields may be a co-factor to investigate in treatments”, it is aimed at medical practitioners and organisations working with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or insomnia patients. Optimum treatment of these conditions should include the possibility that EMF/EMR may be a possible factor in some cases.

    Excerpts:
    Power Frequency magnetic fieldsIn 1994, Australian Democrat Senator Robert Bell (Tasmania) tabled a report in the Australian Senate that examined the evidence that the then current National and international exposure standards for human exposure to electromagnetic fields were insufficient to provide an assurance of safety. Part of this report examined the condition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and suggested that prolonged exposure to 50 Hz power frequency fields may be one of the causative factors in the condition. [1]This hypothesis was later strengthened with a number of patient case studies compiled with the assistance of several doctors connected with the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) in January 1998. These case studies indicated that prolonged exposure to environmental level powerline frequency electromagnetic fields apparently were impairing immune system function resulting in CFS symptoms and insomnia.[2]In February 1999 a Victorian Workers Compensation Case from 1991-1992 was obtained by this writer from office manager at Ross House, located at 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. This case examined a number of workplace illness diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The workcare investigation found that excessive office building electromagnetic fields from a large electrical substation directly below the office building where the women worked was the common factor in all the symptoms reported by the women. The report also examined the work done to mitigate the EMFs in the area.[3] Some of the symptoms reported were:Chronic tiredness/fatigue; Insomnia: waking around 3 am with an inability to go back to sleep; Stress Inability to concentrate; Fluctuating hormone levels; Anaemia; facial rash, depression, severe premenstrual tension; a feeling of listlessness; light headedness ;”a permanent severe case of jet lag”…SNIP

    Study on Health Effects of the Shortwave Transmitter Station of Schwarzenburg, Berne, Switzerland (Major Report)Background:A short wave transmitter was installed at Schwarzenburg, near Berne, Switzerland, in 1939. Another antenna was added in 1954 with three 150 kW outputs (6.1-21.8Mhz). and a 250 kW antenna was added in 1971. Since the Seventies, health complaints have been reported by the population in the surroundings of the transmitter, and the effects have been associated with its activity. On the 2nd March 1990, a petition seeking a scientific evaluation of the health damage allegedly cause by the transmitter was handed by a group of inhabitants to the Swiss Federal Department of Traffic and Energy (SFDTE). In October 1990, the Head of SFDTE commissioned a study. It was carried out by 15 doctors and scientists, primarily from the University of Berne, but also from 4 other agencies. Their report was published in August 1995 and found significant changes in various indicators which increased with proximity to the mast (Zone A in the study) and which were significantly worse in elderly people. Symptoms included nervosity, inner restlessness, difficulty in falling asleep, difficulty in maintaining sleep, general weakness and tiredness and joint pains, Sleep difficulty was especially disturbing as this can lead on to increasing fatigue and reduced feelings of well-being. Observed nocturnal sleep changes occurred in association with increased nocturnal RF exposure levels. The study interim conclusion was as follows:”Insomnias and joint pains, especially in the elderly, were more frequently reported in Zone A than in Zones B and C. They showed a dose-response relationship with the logistic regression and they were not related to a health-worry personality. Further studies are of need to establish a biophysical mechanism…. “Our results indicate a higher frequency of disorders of a neurovegetative nature among residents up to about 1000 m from the transmitter, and are highly suggestive of a direct effect of the radio shortwave transmitter on sleep quality. The other complaints appear to be mediated by the sleep disorder.”…SNIP

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    • 11 JUL 19

    Smart meters not so smart for electricity bills

    From Stop Smart Meters Australia: Excerpt:

    Posted on July 11, 2019 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

    New research released by The Australia Institute shows that ‘time of use pricing’ facilitated by smart meters is likely to drive up household energy costs. Electricity companies and regulators have pushed for higher electricity prices at peak times, as well as higher ‘shoulder’ periods. In theory, this incentivises households to move their energy consumption to times of the day when it is cheaper for companies to provide it…SNIP

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    • 22 MAY 19

    Smart nappies will save you from getting poo on your finger

    While searching through the Internet for absolutely unnecessary and possibly dangerous ‘smart” devices that will be part of the Internet of Things (IoT) I came across this great example. No longer will you have to risk getting nasty baby poo on your fingers when you check to see if your baby has done a dump. Just wait for the message on your smart phone! Note where the bluetooth transmitter is placed. As the old saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words…. SNIP

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    • 12 FEB 19

    Insufficient sleep could damage your DNA and genes, study finds

    In the following article from the South China Morning Post, research is mentioned that indicates insufficient sleep can lead to DNA damage and possibly increase the risk of cancer. Considering that one of the main health complaints from people who have a smart meter located close to bedroom areas is insomnia, a case could be raised that in such cases smart meter emissions may damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer. EXCERPT: “Sleep deprivation can damage DNA and the body’s ability to repair this, possibly leading to higher chances of genetic diseases such as cancer, a study has found”. The University of Hong Kong research, which looked into the effects of sleep deprivation on local doctors, found that those who needed to work overnight shifts had a higher level of damage in their DNA, as well as lower levels of gene activity associated with DNA repair…. Also see the link to the article: “Long working hours and digital devices blamed as more than 2 million Hongkongers suffer from insomnia”…And the link: “Hong Kong urged to wake up to the importance of a better night’s sleep”

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    • 18 JAN 19

    Australian residents and councils raise health concerns about “small cell” installations

    From Stop Smart Meters Australia

    Excerpt:
    Australian residents and councils raise health concerns about “small cell” installations
    Posted on January 18, 2019 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

    The ABC reported earlier this month that residents in NSW have petitioned for the removal of small cell boxes. “In a move that experts say will become more common as Australia prepares itself for the 5G rollout, TPG, in conjunction with China’s Huawei, has begun placing the transmitters – roughly the size of two shoe boxes – on power poles across the suburb of Ryde, in Sydney’s north-west.”…SNIP

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    • 28 OCT 18

    Hacking a Smart Meter and Killing the Grid

    Excerpts
    The following article raises the very real possibility that smart meters and the smart grid itself could be hacked and disabled by rogue chips embedded into electronic circuit boards. A prime suspect in this is China, where most of the equipment is made. This should be of the upmost concern to the Australian government considering the significant penetration of Chinese companies in Australia’s power grids as reported the ABC report: “Chinese investment in Australia’s power grid explained:…SNIP
    Nick Hunn of Creative Connectivity published an article this month entitled, “How to Hack a Smart Meter and Kill the Grid … And then all the lights went out.” Hunn says his new article is one he “would have preferred not to write” but felt obligated to issue a formal warning before “the lights go out.” Hunn is more convinced than ever that evidence now exists that rogue chips may be embedded into electronic circuit boards during the manufacturing process, such as those contained within utility smart meters. Smart meters can be considered high value targets for hackers due to the existence of the “remote disconnect” feature included as an option for most smart meters deployed today. Read on…

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    • 26 OCT 18

    Submissions to the Parliamentary Sleep Health Awareness inquiry are now online

    From the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in Australia

    Following a referral on 13 September 2018 from the Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport, The Hon Greg Hunt MP, the Committee will inquire into and report on Sleep Health Awareness in Australia. The Committee invites interested persons and organisations to make submissions addressing the terms of reference by Thursday, 18 October 2018. Information that may assist in preparing a submission to the Committee may be viewed here. 113 Submissions to the inquiry are now available online…SNIP

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    • 17 AUG 18

    5G and Internet of Things: A Trojan horse (Paul Héroux)

    Published in The Green Gazette

    5G and Internet of Things: A Trojan horse
    By Paul Héroux, Ph.D.,Professor of Electromagnetic Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University
    March 27, 2018

    Excerpt

    The wireless industry dreams of deploying its new 5G (fifth generation) infrastructure in your neighbourhood soon, as it has begun doing in California. Boxes the size of a PC could be placed every 150 meters or so on utility poles, sometimes with small-refrigerator-sized boxes on the ground. 5G technology uses pulsed, millimeter-sized microwaves that are easily blocked by obstacles such as leaves, hence the need to install millions of cell signal boosters near homes.

    The telecoms say this is the most efficient way to ease the digital congestion caused by audio-video streaming, whose global traffic, according to American giant Cisco, will be 11 times higher in 2018 than in 2014. Data would move through fibre optic cables, but rather than bringing these cables to your home, the last leg of the data’s journey would generally be wireless. As markets work, personal mobile phone subscriptions are more profitable than the higher speed fibre optic connections linked to desktops through your own router.

    The 5G network would also support the huge increase in wireless communications created by the Internet of Things (IoT). Since most people already own a cellphone, industry wants to expand its market by embedding a cellular microchip into most manufactured goods. Therefore, items purchased in the future would generate data to be collected by companies and, ultimately, by governments. 5G-IoT is promoted by the promise of “smart” cities, leading to a more comfortable, convenient, and efficient life. But besides a relentless expansion of sales, 5G-IoT will strengthen mobile phones as a platform for publicity and population control. Further, 5G-IoT deployment carries significant health risks…SNIP

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    • 08 AUG 18

    AURORA’s got it all wrong: Smart Meters Radiation Exposure Up to 160 Times More Than Cell Phones (Hirsch)

    Excerpt

    Recently in Tasmania, where consumers have the right to opt out of having a active smart meter installed on their home, an AURORA Energy spokesperson on the phone has been advising customers that there is no need to worry as the emissions from an active smart meter are the same one would get from a mobile phone or TV screen. As one concerned customer said in reply, “my electricity meter is close to my bedhead but I don’t sleep with a mobile phone or TV”.

    It is likely that the AURORA spokesperson was referring to the Tell Associates CCST report. The following from Daniel Hirsch exposes the report as another bit of industry bias, which power companies all too readily lap up as ‘media management’ in order to deceive and “comfort the community” – and dismiss all evidence to the contrary – in other words SPIN…. Read on….

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    • 15 JUL 18

    The inconvenient truth about cancer and mobile phones

    The Guardian

    Excerpt:

    We dismiss claims about mobiles being bad for our health – but is that because studies showing a link to cancer have been cast into doubt by the industry?.
    Eleven independent scientists spent three days at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, discussing the study, which was done by the National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services and ranks among the largest conducted of the health effects of mobile phone radiation. NTP scientists had exposed thousands of rats and mice (whose biological similarities to humans make them useful indicators of human health risks) to doses of radiation equivalent to an average mobile user’s lifetime exposure. The peer review scientists repeatedly upgraded the confidence levels the NTP’s scientists and staff had attached to the study, fuelling critics’ suspicions that the NTP’s leadership had tried to downplay the findings. Thus the peer review also found “some evidence” – one step below “clear evidence” – of cancer in the brain and adrenal glands.

    Not one major news organisation in the US or Europe reported this scientific news. But then, news coverage of mobile phone safety has long reflected the outlook of the wireless industry. For a quarter of a century now, the industry has been orchestrating a global PR campaign aimed at misleading not only journalists, but also consumers and policymakers about the actual science concerning mobile phone radiation. Indeed, big wireless has borrowed the very same strategy and tactics big tobacco and big oil pioneered to deceive the public about the risks of smoking and climate change, respectively. And like their tobacco and oil counterparts, wireless industry CEOs lied to the public even after their own scientists privately warned that their products could be dangerous, especially to children. SNIP…

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    • 12 JUL 18

    Tasmania’s new electricity smart metering roll-out: Why opting out may be your wisest, and healthiest choice

    On December 1, 2017, the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) final rule determination, titled: “Expanding competition in metering and related services” came into force in Tasmania, SA, NSW, the ACT and QLD. The rule states that this is a framework which is designed to, “promote innovation and lead to investment in advanced meters that deliver services valued by consumers at a price they are willing to pay. Improved access to the services enabled by advanced meters will provide consumers with opportunities to better understand and take control of their electricity consumption and the costs associated with their usage decisions,”

    This rule came about as a result of a request from the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) Energy Council that considered that the previous metering rule allowed and encouraged the continued installation of mechanical analogue meters, which they said had “only limited functionality”.

    What this means is that over the next few years we will see a gradual replacement of the existing analogue electricity meters with so called advanced meters (also called digital or smart meters). These meters have the capacity to collect energy use data and send that back to the provider by a wireless network without the need for a meter reader going from house to house to collect that data. As for the uptake of advanced meters (smart meters), TasNetworks has estimated that presently (2017-2019) only about 4% residential and 12% small business customers have a smart meter. By 2024-29, it is expected that this will increase to 31% residential and 59% small business customers. By 2029-34, it is expected that all energy customers will have a smart meter.”….. SNIP

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    • 06 JUN 18

    Will the coming Internet of Things prove to be a Hacker’s heaven? Consider….

    When Jamie Summitt woke up one Wednesday morning and saw the baby video monitor pointed right at her, she wasn’t worried.

    Yes, it had moved since the South Carolina stay-at-home mom fell asleep. But she assumed it was her husband, Kevin, checking in on her from work using the smartphone app that controls the camera.

    That night, as the family ate dinner and the baby slept, her smartphone alerted her that the camera was being moved again.

    “I looked over on my phone and saw that it was slowly panning over across the room to where our bed was and stopped,” Summitt tells NPR. It was pointing to the spot where she breastfed her son, Noah, several times a day. The camera paused on the empty bed, then moved back to the bassinet. SNIP…

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    • 15 JAN 18

    More on CES 2018: Most Absurd Technologies To Come

    From Futurism.com

    by Patrick Caughill on January 13, 2018
    CES: Consumer Excess Show

    Each year tech nerds from around the globe converge on Sin City for the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to get first looks at the near future of gizmos. Walking the floor of the expo, you’re surrounded by some truly incredible tech that will certainly enhance our lives. Conversely, you can also stumble onto some earnest tech that ranges from unnecessary to downright terrifying. Here’s a collection of some of the most absurd technologies from CES 2018. SNIP…

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    • 15 JAN 18

    CES 2018: a suitcase that follows you and other stuff you don’t need

    From the Sydney Morning Herald, January 15, 2018

    Excerpt
    CES 2018: a suitcase that follows you and other stuff you don’t need
    Ben Grubb

    CES, the tech showcase held each year in Las Vegas, highlights what are meant to be the latest and greatest advancements in technology. Things meant to make you go “whoa” many times over, at least according to this year’s official CES billboards. But as one observer remarked, this year’s felt more “no” than whoa, with wacky gadgets you don’t need and voice recognition robots that failed to understand commands or didn’t respond at all. For the most part, the show seemed to be about artificial intelligence or voice recognition being integrated into everything, from TVs and cars to fridges and toilets. All of this felt like very incremental updates to technology. It just didn’t excite. SNIP

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    • 02 NOV 17

    The Importance of Avoiding Nighttime EMF

    Excerpts from the Dr. Mercola website. Even though this is primarily about powerfrequency magnetic fields, sleep disruption is also now being widely reported by people who have had an active RF transmitting smart meter placed in close proximity to their bedroom. To date, absolutely no research has been done of sleep disruption and smart meter RF exposure. It is a disgrace that In Australia the research $$$$ focus of ACEBR and recommended by ARPANSA is trying to show that EHS is just a nocebo effect unrelated to exposure.

    “Another factor that can have a significant impact on your sleep quality and health is EMF exposure. This is true regardless of the time of your exposure, but it’s particularly problematic at night. There’s evidence showing EMF exposure reduces melatonin production,17 making it really important to eliminate EMFs in your bedroom. One of the easiest ways to do this is to pull the circuit breaker to your bedroom before going to bed.”

    Also see: Desynchronization of Body Clocks Is an Underlying Factor of Chronic Disease…. SNIP

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    • 13 SEP 17

    Smart grid public communication in the UK

    I remember reading some time ago that for advertising in America the ad firms target an average intelligence of an 11 year old to get max impact. If that is true, then what would that age be for British gas and electricity consumers considering the current “Gaz and Leccy” advertising smart grid campaign from Smart Energy GB “The voice of the smart meter rollout”?
    See the GAZ and LECCY video clip…..

    Don

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    • 08 SEP 17

    Another massive hack in America

    Following on from the last message on supposed Russian hackers, today hackers have succeeded in another massive theft if sensitive data. It isn’t so important just who the hackers are, be they Russian, Chinese, North Korean or little green men from Mars. The point is that online data is inherently not safe and with online data being the new oil it will always be an attractive target.

    This obviously has grave implications for the security of customer data stored online by the smart grid. In Australia there seems to be no concern on part of the government, the electricity sector and all political parties who have been sold on the smart grid, smart meters and the Internet of Things (IoT) as one of the solutions to the energy crisis.

    From the Washington Post: Hackers access database that has personal data for 143 million Americans from credit reporting agency Equifax. SNIP

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