Public Health Expert Questions Smart Meter Safety Claims

A former state health commissioner says uncertainty remains around long-term exposure to wireless electric meters and argues homeowners should have a choice.

By Growing Healing Editorial Team 

Some public health researchers argue that homeowners should have the option to retain analog electric meters rather than being required to accept wireless smart meters.

One of the most prominent voices raising concerns is Dr. David Carpenter, a Harvard Medical School–trained physician and former head of the New York State Department of Health. Dr. Carpenter later served as Dean of the School of Public Health at the University at Albany and currently directs the Institute for Health and the Environment.

In this interview, public health physician Dr. David Carpenter discusses wireless smart meters, questions surrounding safety assurances, and why he believes homeowners should have the right to retain analog meters.

Editorial Disclaimer: This interview presents one expert perspective within an ongoing scientific and regulatory discussion about smart meter technology.

Smart Meter Advocacy Groups and Public Awareness Efforts

In addition to academic researchers and public health professionals, a number of advocacy and community organizations have emerged in response to the widespread rollout of smart meters.

These groups generally focus on consumer rights, transparency, and informed consent, particularly in regions where smart meters have been installed without homeowner opt-in. Their activities often include organizing community forums, sharing personal accounts from residents, and encouraging dialogue with utilities and regulators.

One example is Stop Smart Meters!, a long-running grassroots network focused on public awareness related to smart meter deployment, privacy considerations, and consumer choice. The organization publishes educational materials and compiles first-person reports from individuals who say they experienced changes following smart meter installation.

It is important to note that advocacy organizations are not regulatory agencies or medical authorities. The concerns and reports they share are largely self-reported and anecdotal, and they represent the perspectives of affected individuals rather than definitive scientific conclusions.

Supporters argue that advocacy groups help ensure consumer voices are represented in policy discussions, while critics maintain that existing regulatory standards sufficiently address safety considerations. Together, these viewpoints reflect the broader public debate surrounding smart meter technology and homeowner choice.

Disagreement Over Safety Claims

While utility companies and regulatory agencies generally state that smart meters are safe when operating within established exposure limits, Dr. Carpenter has publicly questioned whether those assurances adequately address long-term and cumulative exposure.

“There is no justification for the statement that smart meters have no adverse health effects,” Dr. Carpenter has said, pointing to what he describes as uncertainty in existing risk assessments.

What Are Smart Meters?

Smart meters are wireless electric meters that transmit usage data using radiofrequency (RF) signals. They have largely replaced traditional analog meters in many regions, sometimes without explicit homeowner consent.

Utilities typically describe smart meter emissions as low-power and compliant with regulatory standards. Critics, however, argue that smart meters differ from other wireless devices because they are mounted directly on homes and may transmit data repeatedly over long periods.

Reported Health Concerns

Advocacy groups such as the Smart Meter Safety Coalition have compiled reports from residents who believe their health was affected following smart meter installation.

Reported symptoms include:

• headaches and migraines
• dizziness and nausea
• sleep disturbances and insomnia
• heart palpitations
• skin irritation
• tinnitus and fatigue

These reports are self-reported and anecdotal, but advocates argue they justify further research and greater transparency.

RF Radiation and Scientific Classification

In 2011, the World Health Organization, through its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B).

This classification does not establish a direct causal link, but reflects limited evidence and ongoing scientific uncertainty. Dr. Carpenter and other researchers have cited this classification as support for applying a precautionary approach to residential RF exposure.

Calls for Consumer Choice

Given the ongoing scientific debate and the involuntary nature of some smart meter installations, critics argue that homeowners should be allowed to make informed decisions about the type of electric meter installed on their property.

They contend that providing an analog meter option respects consumer choice while allowing continued study of potential long-term health effects associated with wireless meter technology.