By CASEY NEILL
INDEPENDENT smart meter testing at six Greater Dandenong sites found safe electromagnetic levels.
Councillor Peter Brown called for the two contractors to complete radio frequency electromagnetic (RF EME) measurements at six council premises after residents raised concerns about the digital device’s health impacts.
City of Greater Dandenong obtained legal advice that customers must provide free and unrestricted access to metering equipment or risk having their electricity disconnected.
Cr Brown said there’d be an occupational health and safety case to argue if the levels recorded were unacceptable, and the State Government would then have to listen to opposition.
But the contractors found no exposure levels above the general public exposure limit, levels were well below World Health Organisation limits, and that the measured electromagnetic level dropped significantly when the measuring instrument was moved slightly further away from the meter.
A Department of Primary Industries (DPI) spokesman said electromagnetic levels were lower than many other common household devices, like cordless phones and baby monitors.
The State Government has established www.dpi.vic.gov.au/smartmeters for concerned consumers.
