On January 24, 2012, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in California received a report from the County Health Officer on the health risks of Smart Meters.

The report, written by Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Poki Stewart Namkung, discusses the scientific research as well as the inadequacy of FCC guidelines in protecting public health. She states that governmental agencies for protecting public health and safety, such as health departments, “are the only defense against such involuntary exposure.”

This report was included in a Smart Meter proposal delivered to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisor that day. In a letter to the Board, Chief Administrative Officer Susan Mauriello listed five actions which county staff recommended. The complete proposal, including the Health Dept. report is here, as well as at this link: http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/bds/Govstream/BDSvData/non_legacy/agendas/2012/20120124/PDF/041.pdf

Dr. Namkung’s report is separately here.

After hearing public testimony, the Supervisors approved all these actions that day, including renewing the county’s Smart Meter moratorium.

Excerpts of Health Department report:

“Meeting the current FCC guidelines only assures that one should not have heat damage from SmartMeter exposure…When it comes to nonthermal effects of RF [radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation], FCC guidelines are irrelevant and cannot be used for any claims of SmartMeter safety unless heat damage is involved.”

“There are no current, relevant public safety standards for pulsed RF involving chronic exposure of the public, nor of sensitive populations, nor of people with metal and medical implants that can be affected by localized heating and by electromagnetic interference…”

“Evidence is accumulating on the results of exposure to RF at non-thermal levels, including increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier in the head, harmful effects on sperm, double strand breaks in DNA which could lead to cancer genesis, stress gene activation indicating an exposure to a toxin, and alterations in brain glucose metabolism.”

This report also discusses the phenomenon known as electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and its prevalence, and states: “Currently, research has demonstrated objective evidence to support the EHS diagnosis defining pathophysiological mechanisms including immune dysregulation in vitro, with increased production of selected cytokines and disruption and dysregulation of catecholamine physiology.”

The report includes ways for the public to reduce their exposure to EMF from cell phones, wireless internet, and other wireless and EMF devices.