The controversy surrounding smart meters is the question of whether the additional radio-frequency (RF) signals will cause any undesired health effects.

On one side of the coin, as petitioners have pointed out, smart meters contribute to the already looming cloud of "electro-smog" produced by the multitude of today's devices that produce RF signals.

On the other hand, it seems that opponents do not consider the claimed operational characteristics of smart meters. As PG&E points out (they use meters manufactured by GE):

Consider that SmartMeters™ transmit only about 45 seconds a day. You'd have to have one of our meters on your home or business for more than 1,000 years to get as much exposure to radio waves as a typical cell phone user gets in just one month.

So if the device was always on, 24/7, there might be a cause for concern. But if what PG&E states about the limited transmit time is true, your cellphones, Wi-Fi internet, and microwaves are probably causing your body more damage than a smart meter would. That is, unless you've never used a cellphone or any other device producing radio frequencies.