Don't make us pay so you won't destroy our health.

There are serious problems with Smart Meters. Those of us who'd like to keep our analog meters (thus, opting out of having a Smart Meter), are going to be charged a $95 fee, plus $13 each month. In these hard economic times, this is awful. Especially since many studies show that  we are not costing FPL anything extra by keeping our analog meter. If we let them put smart meters on our homes so we don't get charged these fees, this is what we risk. (The scariest are the health concerns, and the increased risk of fire -- especially for those of us with children and pets.)

PRIVACY VIOLATIONS   Smart Meters will be measuring your electricity usage multiple times per hour and wirelessly sending this information back to your utility provider. This information will allow the study of your usage and can reveal much about your personal habits and daily routine. Such examples include: ● What time you get up in the morning
● How long you are at work and when you get home
● If there is activity in the middle of the night
● When you are absent from home for prolonged periods (such as a vacation) Your activity will be chartable and possibly even predictable over time. You will be able to review this information on FPL or JEA's website, but they will be storing this information in their database and many other people will have access to the records. There has been no indication or assurance (such as a contractual agreement with the utility company) that this data is completely private and confidential. The utility provider could sell information collected about you to third parties, such as advertisers and the government. Even if your identity is kept anonymous, do you feel comfortable knowing that your personal habits and routine are being watched and documented permanently?   HEALTH CONCERNS   Smart Meters operate wirelessly by pulsing radio frequencies every few seconds, 24-hours per day. They cannot be turned off. This RF is the type of radiation produced by cell phones and microwaves. The utility providers openly admit that this is the same technology, but at a much lower level. However, they omit that you will not only be affected by the device operating at your house, but you will be within range of all of your neighbors Smart Meters. The more neighbors you have increases your exposure to the device radiation. Across the country people are experiencing heath problems from Smart Meters. Many people have sensitivity to electronic radiation and will suffer ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sleep disruption, headaches, nausea, heart palpitations, skin cancers and fatigue. There are numerous studies that link cancer to exposure of RF radiation. Not to mention that these devices can interfere with pace makers and other medical equipment inside of the home. Most people are aware of the health risks posed by cell phones and microwaves and these devices are not generally run 24-hours per day. As a consumer you have the right to not use these devices, however you do not have the option with Smart Meters. Tests have been performed to prove that Smart Meter radiation is penetrating the exterior walls and can be found at constant and persistent levels within the interior of the home.   19 comments:  Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest <iframe id="I3_1395169838331" tabindex="0" title="+1" src="https://apis.google.com/_/+1/fastbutton?usegapi=1&source=blogger%3Ablog%3Aplusone&size=medium&width=300&annotation=inline&hl=en&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fnosmartmetersflorida.blogspot.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnosmartmetersflorida.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F09%2Fhealth-concerns.html&gsrc=3p&jsh=m%3B%2F_%2Fscs%2Fapps-static%2F_%2Fjs%2Fk%3Doz.gapi.en.LxkTQN7V7vg.O%2Fm%3D__features__%2Fam%3DAQ%2Frt%3Dj%2Fd%3D1%2Fz%3Dzcms%2Frs%3DAItRSTNSnp_KOnmpE4L7XkpxposfG1xesA#_methods=onPlusOne%2C_ready%2C_close%2C_open%2C_resizeMe%2C_renderstart%2Concircled%2Cdrefresh%2Cerefresh&id=I3_1395169838331&parent=http%3A%2F%2Fnosmartmetersflorida.blogspot.com&pfname=&rpctoken=18002161" name="I3_1395169838331" width="100%" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" data-gapiattached="true"></iframe>     OTHER CONSIDERATIONS   ● There have been numerous incidents of fires involving Smart Meters due to their construction and faulty installation. ● Consumers are reporting increases in their monthly utility bill rather than a savings after the installation of a Smart Meter. Since electricity consumption is being monitored in real time instead of once per month, the utility company can regulate and ration electricity usage. This has been documented in many areas of the country. ● There are proposals for appliances in the near future to include corresponding technology. They will be able to remit data wirelessly to the utility company about the type of appliance and its usage inside your home.