Can smart meters cause illness?

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society, which has published information on its website related to smart meters, says the possibility of smart meters being connected to an elevated risk of cancer is very unlikely. The organization explains that smart meters have lower levels of radio frequency waves than cell phones.

It would be nearly impossible to conduct a study to prove or disprove a link between living in a house with smart meters and cancer because people have so many sources of exposure to RF and the level of exposure from this source is so small, according to a statement from the American Cancer Society, which is posted on the organization's website. Because, the amount of RF radiation you could be exposed to from a smart meter is much less than what you could be exposed to from a cell phone, it is very unlikely that living in a house with a smart meter increases risk of cancer.

World Health Organization

In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published the following statement on its website: Despite extensive research, to date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health.

Other Independent Agencies

Reports from several other independent agencies, including the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) and the California Public Utilities Commission, have also found that smart meters have lower levels of radio frequency waves than those of everyday appliances, such as cell phones (PDF).

Show All Answers

1. Are smart meters safe? Have they been tested?
2. What are radio frequency (RF) waves?
3. How are people exposed to RF radiation?
4. What is the radio frequency of Alameda Municipal Power's (AMP) smart meters?
5. How does the radio frequency (RF) radiation emitted by smart meters compare to other electronic devices that emit RF?
6. How often do Alameda Municipal Power's (AMP) electric smart meters release radio frequency waves?
7. How do the radio frequency waves of AMP’s smart meters compare to the radio frequency waves of PG&E’s smart meters?
8. Is a person’s exposure to radio frequency waves impacted by how close he or she is to the meter?
9. Is the radio frequency level of Alameda Municipal Power's (AMP) smart meters approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?
10. Can smart meters cause illness?
11. Are smart meters a fire hazard?