The commenter reports health problems after smart-meter installation and a daughter's school headaches, o…

Hello, I am submitting a comment in response to HHS’s Request for Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure. I live in Eugene, Oregon. About 2 years ago, our electric company forced everyone to have a SMART meter installed on their homes. I tried to request an analog meter but was denied. I have friends that would not allow them on the property, and their electricity was shut off and threats of arrest until they complied. I was given the option to opt out of the signal, which I have to pay extra for. They say the extra cost is for sending out meter readers, but I have always paid for this service. Since the SMART meter installation, even though I have the signal turned off there is still dirty electricity throughout my entire home, and I have difficulty breathing and difficulty sleeping through the night. I have spoken at multiple board meetings about the adverse health effects of the SMART meter, asking for the option of an analog meter, but am told that I will never be given that option because the electric company owns the meter. I am also a mother of 4 children. One of my daughters has chronic headaches when she is at school. She says that it is from being on computers all day long. We have hard-wired internet at home, and she does not experience headaches when using the computer at home. Please advocate for people to make their own choices with their home environment. Also, fiber optics is used in our home for internet, and it is very effective when used in schools overseas, not exposing our children to harmful EMFs all day long. I support HHS taking an active role in examining the potential health and environmental effects of wireless radiation. Questions about human health should be addressed by federal agencies with appropriate expertise in medicine, biology, epidemiology, and public health, and the experiences of individuals and families who report being affected should be considered alongside the scientific evidence. I urge HHS to carefully evaluate these experiences and the scientific evidence, identify gaps in current research, give particular attention to children and other potentially vulnerable populations, and establish appropriate federal research priorities regarding wireless radiation and public health. I greatly appreciate your efforts in providing individuals and families with an opportunity to be heard.