Wind Turbine Noise, Sleep and Health --- .9 mile setback recommendation
Primer on Adverse Health Effects --- Society for Wind Vigilance
Night Noise Guidelines for Europe --- World Health Organization
LARES final report on Noise and Morbidity --- World Health Organization
Minnesota Department of Health Report --- 1/2 mile setback recommendation
Acoustic Ecology --- .9 mile setback recommendation
Comments:
Recently I have received this paper from several people who are skeptical about the adverse health effects attributed to industrial wind turbines. The review was funded by the American and Canadian Wind Energy Associations.
There are many questions left unanswered by a review that claims to be exhaustive. .
The contents of the paper are often misrepresented. The paper asserts that adverse health effects are not directly responsible for many of the problems, although sleep disturbance clearly leads to a host of adverse health effects. .
I am particularly interested in the people who have sent it along who have not read it yet but take for granted the conclusion:
"In the area of wind turbine health effects, no case-control or cohort
studies have been conducted as of this date. Accordingly, allegations of adverse health
effects from wind turbines are as yet unproven. Panel members agree that the number and
uncontrolled nature of existing case reports of adverse health effects alleged to be associated
with wind turbines are insufficient to advocate for funding further studies." (5-2, Colby et. all)
A conclusion that no further studies are needed contradicts the content of the paper.
"There is no evidence that sound at the levels from wind turbines as heard in residences will
cause direct physiological effects. A small number of sensitive people, however, may be
stressed by the sound and suffer sleep disturbances." (4-3, Colby et. all)
Annoyance and sleep disturbance are considered major adverse effects of noise by the World Health Organization.
Two independent analysis of the study have come to very similar conclusions. Independent, third party health studies are needed to determine the prevalence of adverse health effects of wind energy and examine the mechanism by which humans are affected.
A detailed analysis by the Society for Wind Vigilance can be found here. Another brief analysis from the British National Health Service can be accessed here.
