Radiation Research Trust visit Number 10 Downing Street

RRT trustees Mike Bell, Eileen O’Connor, Dr. Erica Mallery-Blythe and Brian Stein with MPs Joe Benton and Bill Esterson

Experts Recommend Stop to Smart Meter Roll Out To Address Urgent Population Safety Issues

The UK Radiation Research Trust calls for the UK Government to shelve the £12bn roll out of smart meters. Problems with “wireless” Smart Meters are reported worldwide with allegations of health-related discrimination to legal, security and infrastructure difficulties. US lawsuits are calling for more than $2 million in sanctions while other European countries such as Italy and France are opting for best practice for smarter meters to communicate to the central grid via the electric “wired” network.

(RRT) Director Eileen O’Connor said “I fail to understand why the UK Government plan to introduce another layer of wireless radiation when the WHO recently classified RF/microwave radiation as a Class 2B carcinogen. The health of the British public should be the number one priority.”

MPs Bill Esterson and RRT Patron Joe Benton MP joined RRT trustees at 10 Downing Street on 13th December to deliver copies of a new report ‘Smart Meters- Smarter Practices’ to David Cameron. The report was commissioned by the RRT and authored by Dr. Isaac Jamieson (DIC RIBA DipAAS BSc(Hons) MInstP). MP Bill Esterson commented: “As a parent with two young children I am acutely aware of any threats to the health. I would therefore support any moves to establish once and for all the evidence either for or against the safety.” Bill Esterson is due to call an adjournment debate and raise questions on mobile phones and wireless technology at the House of Commons.

RRT Chairman Brian Stein commented; “Smart Metering is now being rapidly rolled out across the UK, we have the biggest smart-meter roll-out without any consideration of the impact on people’s health. There is a need to properly assess the potential impact of these new technologies on health. The UK Government has the chance to help develop bio-friendly technologies that do not carry health risks.”

The reports author Dr Jamieson joined Eileen O’Connor and Salzburg public health advisor Dr Gerd Oberfeld at the European Parliament in Brussels in order to present copies of the report to MEPs. RRT Patron and Member of European Parliament Jill Evans said; "I fully support and endorse the Smart Meters-Smarter Practices document published by the Radiation Research Trust. It clearly shows that smart meters could result in serious issues in the future, not least health problems. I hosted a recent meeting in the European Parliament where this report was presented, and colleagues expressed similar serious concerns. I am proud to be a Patron of the Radiation Research trust and believe this document is yet another example of the high quality of their work."

There are simple and safe alternatives to wireless smart meters, says the RRT, such as, fibre optic cable. It is imperative that health, human rights and public safety are taken into account when considering these types of systems. If smart meter is going to be installed in every home without consultation or consideration of the health impact on individuals, then a safer system such as fibre-optic cables needs to be urgently considered. Otherwise the companies installing them need to prepare themselves for potentially widespread health insurance claims.

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