MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE – HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS
This legislative session’s Smart Meter Bill is S.1864
Is Wireless Technology a Public Health Threat?
Massachusetts Leads the Nation with Five Bills to Protect Citizens
April 7, 2017 PRESS RELEASE: Contact: Cece Doucette, 508-881-3878, c2douce@gmail.com
(Ashland, MA) Massachusetts legislators have introduced five bills this session to address public exposure to wireless radiation.
Lisa Lavine Nagy, M.D., government liaison for the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, explains, “Scientific literature has proven that exposure to wireless radiation is responsible for numerous medical symptoms and conditions. A landmark study by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has proven that DNA damage as well as brain and heart tumors develop in mice exposed to cell phone radiation. Other studies report lowered sperm count in men as well as damage to the fetal brain when a pregnant woman uses the cell phone. A leading autism researcher at Harvard has observed links between wireless radiation exposure and autism.”
The science documenting negative health effects of smart meters and Wi-Fi is also emerging. Many people are already experiencing radiation related symptoms in schools, homes, and workplaces. Effects can include insomnia, headaches, fast heartbeat, dysautonomia, anxiety, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), tingling, nausea, skin rashes, cognitive impairment, depression, and behavioral issues. Non-industry funded scientists indicate children and fetuses are especially vulnerable.
Says Dr. Nagy, “We must apply the precautionary principle and protect the public from potential harm with safe practices. These practices should be based on new data as well as the health experiences of people worldwide who are using these technologies. As happened in the case of tobacco, EMFs (electromagnetic fields) are all too slowly being recognized as having negative health impacts. The science on EMFs has existed for decades, and other countries have already established more protective radiation exposure limits. Many physicians in the United States are seeing patients every day with electrical intolerance induced by overexposure in their environment.”
The five Massachusetts bills are first steps in taking action and educating the public on responsible use of today’s technology:
S.1268 Resolve creating a special commission to examine the health impacts of electromagnetic fields will look at non-industry-funded science and recommend public protections. Sponsored by Senator Karen E. Spilka and referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health. Co-sponsored by Jack Lewis, James B. Eldridge, Kevin J. Kuros, and Bruce E. Tarr.
S.1864 An Act relative to utilities, smart meters, and ratepayers’ rights gives utility customers the no-fee choice of retaining non-wireless radiation-emitting water, gas and electrical meters and refusing installation of “smart” utility meters. Sponsored by Senator Michael O. Moore and referred to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. Co-sponsored by Diana DiZoglio, David Paul Linsky, Linda Dean Campbell, Kate Hogan, Jack Lewis, Marjorie C. Decker, Solomon Goldstein-Rose, and Jennifer L. Flanagan. [MACI’s note: Kathlene O’Connor Ives has also signed on as a co-sponsor]
S.107 An Act relative to disclosure of radiofrequency notifications requires manufacturer warnings be prominently displayed on product packaging of wireless radiation-emitting devices. Sponsored by Senator Julian Cyr and referred to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. Co-sponsored by Timothy R. Whelan and Sarah K. Peake.
S.108 An Act relative to the safe use of handheld devices by children requires specific language be included on product packaging, as modeled by an ordinance unanimously passed in Berkeley, California. Sponsored by Senator Julian Cyr and referred to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. Co-sponsored by Timothy R. Whelan.
H.2030 An Act relative to best management practices for wireless in schools and public institutions of higher education requires the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish wireless technology standards to protect the health and safety of public school students and staff. Sponsored by Representative Carolyn C. Dykema and referred to the Joint Committee on Education. Co-sponsored by Jack Lewis, Michael O. Moore, and Angelo J. Puppolo.
Background links:
The U.S. National Toxicology Program released the first set of peer-reviewed findings from the $25M multi-year NIEHS study on the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones. More findings are expected later this year.
The findings of DNA damage, brain tumors and heart tumors align with similar findings in epidemiological studies, and thousands of other laboratory studies done on wireless radiation throughout the world showing biological effects. The same type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones and tower antennas is used to operate all of today’s wireless devices and routers, and carries the same risks.
The following provide additional information for the bills as well as facts to clarify common misinformation about wireless technology:
§ EMF Points of Confusion vs. Fact
Download PDF of 2017 Announcement of MCS Awareness Week Download PDF of MCS Awareness Week Proclamation
