Utility customers concerned about potential health impacts of smart meters are gaining new momentum in the wake of a World Health Organization study that classified radio frequency emissions from a wide array of devices as “possibly” carcinogenic. While news reports on the study focused on the possible risk of increased brain cancer from cell phone use, the potentially broader implications are spreading opposition to smart meters across the state, according to Sandi Mauer, EMF Safety Network administrator. Opposition to the meters on health grounds began in Pacific Gas & Electric territory, but now has spread throughout the state, Mauer observed. The meters monitor energy usage in homes and businesses and communicate the data to utilities through wireless radio signals, similar to the way cell phones and wireless computer networks operate. WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer issued a finding showing that heavy cell phone users have a higher incidence of brain and ear cancer. In an article published in the British medical journal The Lancet June 22, scientists serving on the agency study panel on radio frequency emissions--often referred to as RF-EMF--noted that “a causal” relationship with brain and ear cancer is possible. Environmental Working Group staff scientist Olga Naidenko said that “it’s a reasonable supposition” to be concerned about RF-EMF emitted by other types of devices, such as smart meters, but until further studies are performed the jury remains out on whether or not they pose significant health risks. Following up on the WHO report, two prominent RF-EMF scientific researchers called on the California Council on Science & Technology to revisit a report it issued earlier this year. It largely cleared smart meters from a health standpoint (Current, Jan. 14, 2011). One of the researchers, Cindy Sage, Sage Associates principal, told Current that next to wireless phones, the meters are becoming the single largest source of exposure to RF-EMF.