‘My smart meters are giving me headaches’: Man calls for investigation into the devices
Could smart meters be causing people headaches? Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY - Credit: Submitted
Ever since he has had two smart meters installed in his home, John Lawn has been having headaches.
And now Mr Lawn, from Sheringham, has called for an investigation into the possible side effects of the devices and the radio waves they emit.
Mr Lawn, 65, said: 'Whenever I'm in the same room it seems I'm in their way.
'I'm in quite a bit of discomfort, actually.
'It may be just that I'm one in a million, but it's something that should be looked into.'
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The meters use radio waves to allow remote readings to be taken from gas and electricity meters.
Mr Lawn said he has had suffered headaches since his meters were installed last week.
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He said he no longer felt comfortable inside his home because of the headaches.
Mr Lawn said the start meters were installed by SSE, and when he challenged them over their side effects, they advised him to contact North Norfolk District Council to assess the devices.
But an SSE spokesman said Public Health England (PHE) research showed smart meters were no danger to health.
The spokesman said: 'A study carried out by PHE shows that exposure to radio waves from smart meters is one million times less than international health guideline levels and is much lower than that from other everyday devices such as mobile phones and wi-fi equipment.'
And Robert Cheesewright, policy and communication director from Smart Energy GB, said: 'Exposure to radio waves from smart meters is one million times less than international health guideline levels.'
But Mr Lawn's calls have echoed growing concern over the devices.
A nationwide campaign called Stop Smart Meters has been launched, with its proponents criticising not only the alleged heath effects, but issues including costs, privacy and the risk of the devices being hacked by an outside source.
One campaigner, JV Tolentino, has started a petition on 38degrees.org.uk, which so far has gathered more than 21,000 signatures.
He said: ''Smart' meters emit a continuous stream of pulsed microwave radiation, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
'These fields are intensely bio-active and affect the people and natural ecology in and around each home as well nearby.'
-What has been your experience of having a smart meter? Have you suffered any ill-effects such as headaches, and you believe your smart meter may be responsible?
Email stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk
