When Merritt man Walter Vohradsky began researching the health effects from wireless technology two weeks ago, he became concerned and requested that BC Hydro put a delayed install notice on his account.

But the 70-year-old was advised that he had no choice in the matter, as Section 12 of the B.C. Clean Energy Act specifies that installation of smart meters can be done without the consent of the owner.

"I was advised that BC Hydro has no choice because government legislation has mandated that by Dec. 31, 2012 every household in British Columbia will have a smart meter," says Vohradsky.

Upset with what he was told, Vohradsky says he will now take the matter to the doorstep of Merritt city council, which he plans to do at the next council meeting July 26.

So far, municipal bodies in at least four different regions in B.C.—Salt Spring, Colwood, Cowichan Valley, and New Denver—have implemented moratoriums or requested further study on the health effects of smart meters.

The World Health Organization recently listed wireless radiation as a Group 2B carcinogen, but Vohradsky says what concerned him the most was when he learned that it could affect his wife's arrhythmia.

"This is a pretty scary thing," says Vohradsky. "There are many health concerns associated with this technology—electro-magnetic radiation formerly was known as microwave sickness.

"My wife has had a few episodes of arrhythmia, and in the data you can find where arrhythmia in children in schools, and the like, has been attributed to electro-magnetic radiation."


Some other potential symptoms may include headaches, rises in blood pressure, dizziness, sleep disturbances, leukemia, lymphoma, tumours, memory problems and other neurological effects, and perforation of the blood-brain barrier, according to an occupational safety report issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters.

A 2010 International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety monograph, Non-Thermal Effects and Mechanisms of Interaction Between Electromagnetic Fields and Living Matter; European Journal of Oncology, documents "dramatic changes" in both heart rate and heart rate variability in response to microwave emissions "well below" federal guidelines in Canada and the United States.

As well, the World Health Organization admits that heart palpitations are a symptom of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Everyday devices such as fluorescent lights, antennas, cell phones, Wi-Fi, and cordless phones were listed as reported causes of the symptoms listed in the ICEMS monograph.

BC Hydro has stated that the wireless radiation emitted from its Itron meters are safe; however, Canadian safety radiation guidelines, outlined in Safety Code 6, are largely based on thermal radiation and not non-thermal, which is used with low-frequency wireless devices like cell phones, wireless routers, and smart meters.

Hydro would not comment on a wired option, available with Itron meters and currently used on smart meters in Ontario, only to say that a wired meter option, either through a phone line or modem, is of interest to Hydro.

"If there are some unique circumstances where that technology would be beneficial, we're leaving that on the table," said BC Hydro chief project officer Gary Murphy in an interview with the News in early June.

Since that interview, Hydro stated in an interview with the Globe and Mail that it would allow customers to relocate smart meters on their property, at the expense of the homeowner; however, Hydro says it will not allow customers to opt out of the program.

Other criticism of smart meters has centered on its real-time-of-use information gathering (potentially leading to increased rates), privacy, security, and cost effectiveness.

"It is a complete waste of taxpayer dollars," says Fraser-Nicola MLA Harry Lali. "Somebody can log your pattern of your living behaviour…anybody can misuse that information"

Lali criticizes BC Hydro's rationale for adopting smart meters. He notes that the current meters are sound technology that has worked for decades without breaching clients' "fundamental" privacy. He adds that the provincial NDP has long argued against smart meters.

The B.C. Government has also been criticized over the implementation of the smart meter program, particularly that it didn't go through the normal channels of oversight through the B.C. Utilities Commission.

"BCUC's been neutered by this government for their own convenience," adds Lali.

BCUC says it can review the "prudency" of the decisions affecting all costs included in rates, but as per Section 7(3) of the Clean Energy Act, "the commission must not exercise a power under the Utilities Commission Act in a way that would directly or indirectly prevent the authority from doing anything referred to in subsection (1)."

BC Hydro has relied heavily on its data on marijuana grow operations and hydro theft for justification of the smart meter program, which is estimated to eliminate 3,000 jobs.

To date, 10 counties in the state of California have banned smart meters, dozens more instituting moratoriums.

California utility company Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has begun allowing customers to opt out of the smart meter program at their own expense.

Vohradsky says he will notify city council that they are required to "take action" regarding matters of public health and safety as outlined in Section 83 of the B.C. Public Health Act.