“…health includes mental, physical and social functioning, which are closely associated and interdependent.” – World Health Organization [1]
Clinicians and other researchers have documented both physiological and psychological symptoms reported by individuals experiencing adverse health effects from wind turbines. [2],[3],[4], [5] Some families have abandoned their homes to protect their health. This cannot be denied.
Some of the reported physiological symptoms include headaches, heart palpitations, excessive tiredness, tinnitus, hearing problems, stress, sleep disturbance, and migraines.
The authors of An American and Canadian Wind Energy Association sponsored report (A/CanWEA Panel Review) does not dispute that there are individuals experiencing adverse physiological symptoms.[6],[7]
The A/CanWEA Panel Review recognizes wind turbine noise characteristics such as low frequency and fluctuating noise may be annoying to some.[8]
The A/CanWEA Panel Review also acknowledged that In addition to annoyance wind turbine noise may cause stress and sleep disturbance. [9]
One of the authors of the A/CanWEA Panel Review W. David Colby, M.D. reinforced these findings when he stated
“We’re not denying that there are people annoyed and that maybe some of them are getting stressed out enough about being annoyed that they’re getting sick.”[10]
Wind turbine annoyance, stress and sleep disturbance have been documented in peer reviewed studies[11] and confirmed by The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.[12],[13]
Wind turbine physiological adverse effects documented by clinicians and researchers are consistent with symptoms commonly associated with annoyance[14], stress[15],[16] and sleep disturbance. [17]
[1] World Health Organization, Prevention Of Mental Disorders : Effective Interventions And Policy Options : Summary Report / A Report Of The World Health Organization, 2004, http://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/en/prevention_of_mental_disorders_sr.pdf
[2] Amanda Harry M.D., Wind Turbines Noise and Health, 2007
[3] Dr Michael Nissenbaum, Wind Turbines, Health, Ridgelines, and Valleys, Montpelier, VT, May 7 2010 http://www.windvigilance.com/news/preliminary-findings—controlled-study-mars-hill
[4] Wind Vigilance for Ontario Communities (WindVOiCe©) http://www.windvigilance.com/windvoice_home
[5] Dr Nina Pierpont, Wind Turbine Syndrome, 2009
[6] W. David Colby, M.D. et al., Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects, An Expert Panel Review 2009, Prepared for American Wind Energy Association and Canadian Wind Energy Association
[7] Leventhall Geoff, Wind Turbines Large Small and Unusual, November 11, 2009
[8] W. David Colby, M.D. et al., Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects, An Expert Panel Review 2009, Prepared for American Wind Energy Association and Canadian Wind Energy Association
[9] W. David Colby, M.D. et al., Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects, An Expert Panel Review 2009, Prepared for American Wind Energy Association and Canadian Wind Energy Association
[10] W. David Colby, M.D., Sounding Board, 97.9 FM The Beach December 17, 2009
[11] Pedersen et al., 2008,Project WINDFARMperception Visual and acoustic impact of wind turbine farms on residents
[12] Copes, R. and K. Rideout. Wind Turbines and Health: A Review of Evidence. Ontario
Agency for Health Protection and Promotion 2009
[13] Arlene King, M.D., Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Memorandum, October 21, 2009
[14] W. David Colby, M.D. et al., Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects, An Expert Panel Review 2009, Prepared for American Wind Energy Association and Canadian Wind Energy Association
[15] Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/life-vie/stress-eng.php
[16] Work Organization & Stress, Stavroula Leka BA MSc PhD et al.,World Health Organization,
http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/stress/en/index.html
[17] World Health Organization, Night Noise Guidelines for Europe, 2009, http://www.euro.who.int/InformationSources/Publications/Catalogue/20090904_12
[18] Babisch W. The noise/stress concept, risk assessment and research needs. Noise Health [serial online] 2002 [cited 2009 Dec 30];4:1-11. Available from: http://www.noiseandhealth.org/text.asp?2002/4/16/1/31833
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