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.
Public Acceptance of the Potato and What it Tells Us about the Acceptance of Wind Energy
By
Paul Gipe
The lowly potato has a story to tell and it’s a parable about modern attitudes toward wind energy. . .
Discover: Windfarms, Wifi and Self-Fulfilling Myths
By
Driven by media and online coverage of the idea, many believe that things like wifi and cell-phone signals are making them ill. There’s no good evidence that such ‘electrosmog‘ causes health problems.
Mike Barnard: Wind farms causing fires? All smoke, no flame
By
Mike Barnard
With this and a small handful of other pictures of wind turbines on fire, anti-wind lobbyists and campaigners are raising yet another set of unfounded fears in those living in areas where wind farms will be constructed. . .
Scurvy and What it Can Tell Us About Opposition to Climate Change & Renewable Energy
By
Paul Gipe
Just Because a Better Mousetrap is Known Doesn’t Mean it will be Used When There’s a Vested Financial Interest in the Status Quo . . .
A study in Noise and Health shows that wind farms cause people to lose sleep. How reliable is this study?
By
Mike Barnard
The study Effects of industrial wind turbine noise on sleep and health by Nissenbaum, Hanning and Aramini is being referenced in articles world-wide and is being held up as peer-reviewed evidence that wind farms are causing health problems by anti-wind lobbying groups. Dr. Hazel Lynn’s (Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce, a region of Ontario) recently published literature review 0n wind energy lists it as “Excellent research”. How reliable is the study? Are the conclusions sound? How seriously should this be taken?. .
