Myths about Noise, Health, & Safety
Wind turbines are machines that spin in the wind and generate electricity atop tall towers. As such, the blades, transmission, and generator emit noise when the turbine is operating. Because modern wind turbines are relatively new on the landscape, a veritable cottage industry has arisen attributing a panoply of ills to wind turbines–even when they are not operating. Consequently, there are numerous studies on the health effects of the noise from wind turbines. This section includes links to these studies and to reports on the general environmental impacts and benefits of wind energy.
Let’s appoint a judge to investigate bizarre wind farm health claims
By
Simon Chapman
The judge should request the medical records of complainants from periods both before and after the operation of wind farms, to settle the matter of whether the complaints were sufficiently serious to have been given medical attention, and that they did not have these problems before the wind farm commenced operation.
Redirecting Anti-Wind Energy
By
Susan Holtz
But many energy and environmental analysts, who see a switch to renewable energy as long overdue, have been dismayed by this hostility to a source of electricity that they see as much more benign in its environmental and health impacts than the coal, nuclear or even gas-fired electricity generation it displaces.
Wind tower manufacturer fined in worker’s death
By
Dave Johnson
TSP Canada Towers Inc., a manufacturer of wind towers in Thorold, has pleaded guilty and fined $80,000 after a worker was crushed by components being moved along a line two years ago.
Plos One: Health Effects Related to Wind Turbine Noise Exposure: A Systematic Review
By
Currently, there is no further existing statistically-significant evidence indicating any association between wind turbine noise exposure and tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo or headache.
Richard Di Natale on wind power, science and evidence-based policymaking
By
Senator Richard Di Natale
Scaremongering about the health effects of wind power is irresponsible. It causes enormous anxiety for some people and it threatens to derail a promising and necessary industry for this country.
Some Air: Bad Science Reporting Causes Real Harm
By
Ketan Joshi
Spreading health fears can itself result in harm. A BBC Panorama report on the ‘health dangers of wifi’ warped a collection of already-flawed ‘studies’ to present the theory that WiFi causes health impacts. Subsequent research showed that people ‘primed’ with this documentary perceived a greater severity of symptoms, compared to a control group shown scientific information.
