From:
Glenn Stirling <[email address]>
Sent:
Tuesday, 22 May 2012 3:35 pm
To:
Callum McLean
Subject:
RE: Radio-frequency fields
Thanks Callum
Nice to have an NZ reference to point people to.
Cheers
Glenn Stirling
Scientist
National Radiation Laboratory
ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd)
T s 9(2)(a)
| M s 9(2)(a)
| F s 9(2)(a)
Mail to: [email address]
www.esr.cri.nz
Manaaki tangata taiao hoki
Protecting people and their environment through science
From: Callum McLean [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Friday, 18 May 2012 8:19 a.m.
To: Glenn Stirling
Subject: RE: Radio-frequency fields
Hi Glenn
You may have already seen this, but just in case - http://www.epecentre.ac.nz/docs/media/Arc Full Final 01.pdf
We intend to also include a link to this study on our Smart Meter FAQ.
Cheers,
Callum
From: Glenn Stirling [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Thursday, 5 April 2012 9:54 a.m.
To: Callum McLean
Subject: RE: Radio-frequency fields
Hi Callum
1
Thanks for the opportunity to comment on your Smart Meter FAQ Fact Sheet
For the question “Where can I find out about radiofrequency fields from advanced meters”, the sentence “… is available
from the National Radiation Laboratory of the Ministry of Health (www.nrl.moh.govt.nz)” is no longer correct.
We suggest replacing it by something along the lines of “… is available from the National Radiation Laboratory of ESR
(www.esr.cri.nz)”
As well as pointing people concerned over health effects our way or to the retailer, this would also be a good
document to point them towards: www.ccst.us/publications/2011/2011
smartA.pdf
The claim that “Radio signals produced by an advanced meter are roughly similar to having a cell phone on stand-by in
your home” is an interesting comparison. Does it come out of a peer-reviewed publication? surely it would depend
upon the duty cycle? you might want to exercise caution and check out your source.
If you look at that link I gave you, they found that their HAN on a worst case 100% duty cycle worked out at about 10%
of the NZ public reference level “limit”, for more realistic duty cycles it works out at about 0.5 - 5%, so you might want
to re-think your “very small fractions of recommended limits”
A couple of extra observations not about those two questions:
You don’t really explain what HAN is for in your Fact Sheet, that might be a useful addition for you to consider.
I tried that link to the guidelines and advice to the Minister, and it didn’t work for me, it came up with “Page is no longer
available”. On closer inspection the link was taking me to http://www.ea.govt.nz/industry/market/metering/advanced-
meteringWill and not http://www.ea.govt.nz/industry/market/metering/advanced-metering which is where the
guidelines are.
Regards
Glenn Stirling
Scientist
National Radiation Laboratory
ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd)
Ts 9(2)(a)
| M s 9(2)(a)
| F s 9(2)(a)
Mail to: [email address]
www.esr.cri.nz
Manaaki tangata taiao hoki
Protecting people and their environment through science
From: Wim Nijhof
Sent: Tuesday, 3 April 2012 1:56 p.m.
To: Glenn Stirling; Tony Cotterill
Cc: Elizabeth Stewart
Subject: FW: Radio-frequency fields
Glenn, can you please scan the two questions mentioned and provide scientific feedback.
2
We want to keep the reference to the national rad lab but change the reference to MoH (part of ESR (www.esr.cri.nz))
Wim Nijhof
Programme Leader
National Radiation Laboratory
ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd)
T s 9(2)(a)
| M s 9(2)(a)
| F s 9(2)(a)
Mail to: [email address]
www.esr.cri.nz
Manaaki tangata taiao hoki
Protecting people and their environment through science
From: ESR External Enquiries
Sent: Monday, 2 April 2012 4:37 p.m.
To: Wim Nijhof
Subject: FW: Radio-frequency fields
Hi Wim
This enquiry came through the website and I wondered if you would respond to it please or forward to someone to
respond to.
Regards
Liz Stewart
ESR Enquiries
From: Callum McLean [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Monday, 2 April 2012 3:00 p.m.
To: ESR External Enquiries
Subject: Radio-frequency fields
Hi
Our organisation publishes a 'Smart meter FAQ' on our website - available from http://www.ea.govt.nz/footer-
elements/faqs/consumers/
The last two questions of this FAQ touch on radiofrequency fields. I understand that ESR now fulfill the role previously
managed by NRL. Accordingly, I am proposing that we update our FAQ to reflect this.
This email is an opportunity for ESR to provide any suggestions on the content of these two questions, including the
explanation of ESR's role. Can you please arrange for someone to consider this and respond to me.
Regards,
Callum
Callum McLean Adviser Market Operations
3
Electricity Authority - Te Mana Hiko ASB Bank Tower, Level 7, 2 Hunter St, Wellington
DDI: s 9(2)(a)
[email address]
www.ea.govt.nz
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4
From:
Glenn Stirling <[email address]>
Sent:
Thursday, 5 April 2012 9:54 am
To:
[email address]
Subject:
RE: Radio-frequency fields
Hi Callum
Thanks for the opportunity to comment on your Smart Meter FAQ Fact Sheet
For the question “Where can I find out about radiofrequency fields from advanced meters”, the sentence “… is available
from the National Radiation Laboratory of the Ministry of Health (www.nrl.moh.govt.nz)” is no longer correct.
We suggest replacing it by something along the lines of “… is available from the National Radiation Laboratory of ESR
(www.esr.cri.nz)”
As well as pointing people concerned over health effects our way or to the retailer, this would also be a good
document to point them towards: www.ccst.us/publications/2011/2011
smartA.pdf
The claim that “Radio signals produced by an advanced meter are roughly similar to having a cell phone on stand-by in
your home” is an interesting comparison. Does it come out of a peer-reviewed publication? surely it would depend
upon the duty cycle? you might want to exercise caution and check out your source.
If you look at that link I gave you, they found that their HAN on a worst case 100% duty cycle worked out at about 10%
of the NZ public reference level “limit”, for more realistic duty cycles it works out at about 0.5 - 5%, so you might want
to re-think your “very small fractions of recommended limits”
A couple of extra observations not about those two questions:
You don’t really explain what HAN is for in your Fact Sheet, that might be a useful addition for you to consider.
I tried that link to the guidelines and advice to the Minister, and it didn’t work for me, it came up with “Page is no longer
available”. On closer inspection the link was taking me to http://www.ea.govt.nz/industry/market/metering/advanced-
meteringWill and not http://www.ea.govt.nz/industry/market/metering/advanced-metering which is where the
guidelines are.
Regards
Glenn Stirling
Scientist
National Radiation Laboratory
ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd)
T s 9(2)(a)
| M s 9(2)(a)
| F s 9(2)(a)
Mail to: [email address]
www.esr.cri.nz
1
Manaaki tangata taiao hoki
Protecting people and their environment through science
From: Wim Nijhof
Sent: Tuesday, 3 April 2012 1:56 p.m.
To: Glenn Stirling; Tony Cotterill
Cc: Elizabeth Stewart
Subject: FW: Radio-frequency fields
Glenn, can you please scan the two questions mentioned and provide scientific feedback.
We want to keep the reference to the national rad lab but change the reference to MoH (part of ESR (www.esr.cri.nz))
Wim Nijhof
Programme Leader
National Radiation Laboratory
ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd)
T s 9(2)(a)
| M s 9(2)(a)
| F s 9(2)(a)
Mail to: [email address]
www.esr.cri.nz
Manaaki tangata taiao hoki
Protecting people and their environment through science
From: ESR External Enquiries
Sent: Monday, 2 April 2012 4:37 p.m.
To: Wim Nijhof
Subject: FW: Radio-frequency fields
Hi Wim
This enquiry came through the website and I wondered if you would respond to it please or forward to someone to
respond to.
Regards
Liz Stewart
ESR Enquiries
From: Callum McLean [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Monday, 2 April 2012 3:00 p.m.
To: ESR External Enquiries
Subject: Radio-frequency fields
Hi
Our organisation publishes a 'Smart meter FAQ' on our website - available from http://www.ea.govt.nz/footer-
elements/faqs/consumers/
2
The last two questions of this FAQ touch on radiofrequency fields. I understand that ESR now fulfill the role previously
managed by NRL. Accordingly, I am proposing that we update our FAQ to reflect this.
This email is an opportunity for ESR to provide any suggestions on the content of these two questions, including the
explanation of ESR's role. Can you please arrange for someone to consider this and respond to me.
Regards,
Callum
Callum McLean Adviser Market Operations
Electricity Authority - Te Mana Hiko ASB Bank Tower, Level 7, 2 Hunter St, Wellington
DDI: s 9(2)(a)
[email address]
www.ea.govt.nz
The information contained in this transmission is confidential. It is intended for the named addressee only. If you are not the named addressee you may not copy,
distribute or take any action in reliance upon this transmission.
"The information contained in this transmission is confidential. It is intended for the named addressee only. If
you are not the named addressee you may not copy, distribute or take any action in reliance upon this
transmission."
3
