Important literature review on wind turbines and health
Administrator | Jan 10, 2012 | Comments 2
Independent (and uncompensated) researchers Barbara Frey and Peter Hadden have just published a 170-page literature review that makes a compelling case for considering wind turbines placed too near homes as both a major public health issue and a human rights issue.
Unlike other literature reviews on this topic, this study includes references to sufferers’ reports of adverse health effects. Although it is focused on the U.K., it cites more than 300 references worldwide, including a number from Ontario.
Information referenced in the study indicates that low frequency sounds from wind turbines can be detected up to 10 km away. For turbines that are more than 100 m tall to blade tip (i.e. all Ontario turbines), the researchers recommend a setback of 3 km.
While it will be very difficult for wind energy developers and the Ontario government to ignore or discredit this study, they will undoubtedly make the attempt. So it will be up to the courts to evaluate its information, conclusions and recommendations.
The study, Wind turbines and proximity to homes: the impact of wind turbine noise on health is lengthy, but not too technical. It is available at http://docs.wind-watch.org/Frey_Hadden_WT_noise_health_01Jan2012.pdf .
-Gary Mooney
CCSAGE
Filed Under: Letters and Opinion
Let’s hope that some of the new research will make the government and the wind proponents stand up and take notice.
Are our governments more of dictatorships than anything else.
All they care about is catering to big business and making money and a lot of this big business is foreign investment
Regarding the involvement of the courts, here is an excerpt from the Environmental Review Tribunal’s July, 2011 decision in respect of the Kent Breeze wind project in Chatham-Kent, Ontario:
“This case has successfully shown that the debate should not be simplified to one about whether wind turbines can cause harm to humans. The evidence presented to the Tribunal demonstrates that they can, if facilities are placed too close to residents. The debate has now evolved to one of degree.”
The appellants in the upcoming ERT in respect of the Zephyr wind project in Middlesex-Lambton, Ontario will build on the above decision and seek to prove serious harm to human health by presenting evidence from sufferers.