Smart Meter Radiation

Smart meters are wireless, high-tech, digital communication devices that will replace the old, analog electricity meters and allow remote electricity readings. Smart meters emit electromagnetic radiation, like cell phones and other high-tech electronic devices. Like any other device that emits radio frequency radiation, smart meters have not been proven to cause health problems. This paper provides some ways of protecting yourself from RF radiation produced by smart meters. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________


RADIATION DUE TO SMART METERS
Electromagnetic (EM) radiation is an important environmental variable in any smart grid. EM fields are present everywhere in our environment. As shown in Figure 2, the electromagnetic spectrum is divided up into a number of categories [4]. Although EM fields are invisible, they create or induce voltages and currents within the human body. Both radio frequency and microwave field radiations have been increasing.
While smart meters adequately perform their function, they are also sources of dangerous, powerful electromagnetic radiation. Several smart meters use digital signals to transmit consumption information to utility companies wirelessly. In the process, these meters emit wireless radiation. A smart meter transmits in every direction. RF radiation travels far, which is why it is used for communication. The intensity of the radiation decreases exponentially in proportion to distance from the smart meter increases. Typically, smart meters transmit as far as two miles. The people in proximity to a smart meter are at the same risk of radiation exposure as with a cell phone. The radiation interact with other electrical devices like TV and washing machines. Smart meters transmit data to a utility access point, which in transmit data to the utility company. It has become a practice to specify the strength of the field produced in the human body of an exposed person by the specific absorption rate (SAR), which is the rate at which energy from the incident field is deposited. SAR is difficult to measure inside the human body; numerical methods are commonly used [5].
The EM pollution penetrates the walls of the home and causes some negative effects on the human body. Some customers have reported headaches, dizziness, ringing in their ears, poor sleep, chronic fatigue, heart problems, stress, nausea, chest pain, eye problems, cancer, etc. after a smart meter was installed on their home.
How much power people are exposed to from the smart meter radiation depends on how far they are from the smart meter antenna and how the smart meter transmits. The frequency radiated by a smart meter is similar to that of a typical cell or cordless phone. Since smart meters produce RF radiation, some claim that smart meters may possibly increase cancer risk or cause health problems. Smart meters operate at radio frequencies (RF) specifically between 902 MHz and 2.4 GHz. Radio frequencies are non-ionizing and harmless [6]. In-depth investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that the small amount of RF energy produced by smart meters is not harmful to human health. The WHO classifies RF as a 2B carcinogen. RF energy is well below the limits set by Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

EM RADIATION REDUCTION
As mentioned above, electric companies claim that radiation from smart meters is non-ionizing and therefore harmless. But not all researchers and radiation experts agree with this. Both homeowners and counter-experts have contested the official assurances that smart meters do not pose health risks [7].
Exposure to RF radiation for long period of time increase the risk of cancer. The US safety limit for RF radiation is 1,000 microwatts per meter squared. Some smart meters emit up to 60 times that, or 60,000 micro-watts per meter squared. One should take the "better safe than sorry" approach.
How can we reduce exposure to EM radiation from smart meters? To reduce or eliminate RF Radiation caused by your smart meter, there are a couple of things that you can do [8,9].
(1)Some power companies have smart meter opt out programs. They will replace your smart meter with an analog meter that does not emit any RF Radiation.
(2) Install a Smart Meter Guard. This is a cover you can place over your smart meter made out of a conductive metal mesh screen that will block 90% to 95% of the normal radiation of the smart meter (3) Shield the wall behind the smart meter to block the radiation from entering your home. Shield the interior wall behind the smart meter with shielding paint or fabric.
(4) The ideal way to treat electrohypersensitivity (EHS) to reduce EM exposure. Maintain a 40-feet distance between you and your smart meter.
(5) You can counteract the harmful effects of smart meter radiation using QuWave Harmonizer. (www.Quwave.com). The Harmonizer protects everyone within its reach from smart meter and other radiating devices.

5.BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
Smart meter is a digital device allowing two-way communication between the utility company and the customer, cutting out the need for meter-checking agents and eliminating the practice of estimated bills. Separate myths from reality and take advantage of the benefits of a smart meter.
Smart meters make a landmark change in the modern electric power grid. Smart meters make life easier for everyone. They not only measure electricity consumption, they can also measure electricity produced (solar panels or other power generation) and sent back to the grid the new technology is posed to open up opportunities for smarter tariffs, more sustainable living, and smarter homes [10].
However, smart meters are still new to many people. They are expensive and this is the reason they are not favored by everyone. The greatest challenge that smart meters face is that the radiate RF emissions which may be dangerous for health of humans. Smart meters have become a target for those who like to fearmonger about EM radiation it produces. There is little scientific data specific on smart meters. Some people fear that smart meters will be used to invade our privacy.

CONCLUSION
A smart meter is a digital device used to measure the electricity consumption of your home. It uses wireless technology to communicate the energy consumption (in terms of kilowatt hours) automatically to the utility company in real-time. Smart meters are gradually replacing old, conventional, analog meters around the world. RF radiation they produce is harmless.
In spite of the many potential benefits of SMs, the deployment of SMs has created public opposition that centers on health risks and the formation of anti-smart-meter organizations [11]. Although SMs give off RF radiation, it is low-energy radiation. There is no agreement among scientific experts as whether the radiation is harmful or not. There is one thing that experts agree on: Overexposure to EM radiation is dangerous.