Do wind turbines have any negative effects on human health? This is a subject that has been debated and so far, the results have been split. There have been many reports about how people living near wind turbines have been getting sick because of it. However, there have been some that argue that maybe many of these symptoms may not have to do with wind turbines after all.
Wind Turbine Syndrome is what people are calling the list of symptoms they claim occur when living next to a wind turbine. This list includes headaches, nausea, sleep disruption, dizziness, depression, hypertension, sensory problems, and learning and concentration difficulties.
One resident even claimed that she “found her blood glucose levels rocketing – forcing her to take more insulin and causing her to develop a cataract. Her younger son, Brian, an outgoing, happy, academically enthusiastic young man, suddenly became a depressive, stopped seeing his friends and dropped out of his studies at college. Her husband William, who had always had low blood pressure, now found his blood pressure levels going ‘sky high’ – and has been on medication ever since.” (Delingpole)
Here are some theories about why these symptoms may be caused. Some people have stated that inaudible sound created by wind turbines as the wind moves past the rotating turbine blades can cause physiological health impacts, sleep disturbance, and headaches. (Sound and Health) However, more studies are needed to find whether this low frequency sound and infrasound negatively impacts nearby residents.
There are those who are skeptical of Wind Turbine Syndrome, however. Simon Chapman, a professor of public health at the University of Sydney, says “Wind Turbine Syndrome is what is known as a ‘communicated’ disease.” (Kloor) He says that is spreads via the nocebo effect by being talked about and some symptoms may not have to do with wind turbines at all. He says we all “come predisposed with our own anxieties and attitudes on particular issues.” (Kloor) One interpretation of this is that although some of the symptoms may be true and fact, if people start out annoyed that a wind turbine is built close to their house, if they experience any symptom that people have claimed before, they may quickly and readily blame the turbine on first thought.
Many studies on the effect on human health have been done, however, the outcomes of them have not been clear and it is still an ongoing discussion.
“The definition of health set up by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 is still the guiding principle in public health work. The definition reads as follows: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (Pedersen) This is saying that people have to remember that just because there is no literal disease, if Wind Turbine Syndrome does affect people, then it needs to be taken seriously and addressed. This means building wind turbines that are not too close to homes or investigating into ways that this syndrome can be overcome. States need to regulate the building of them and decide on a case by case basis on whether or not building the wind turbines in a specific area would affect the people that call it their home.
Since Wind Turbine Syndrome is still a topic being discussed and researched, there is no definitive answer on what we should do in the meantime. Therefore, since there are many cases claimed of symptoms caused by wind turbines, it should be assumed a very real thing until otherwise disproved. Local governments must assess in great lengths and take into consideration on whether or not placing a wind turbine in a certain area would be close enough to affect the residents living around it.
References
Ambrose, Rand, and Krogh. “Wind Turbine Acoustic Investigation : Infrasound and Low-Frequency Noise–A Case Study.” Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society (2012): n. pag. Sage Journals. Web. <http://bst.sagepub.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/content/32/2/128.full.pdf+html>.
Chapman. “Wind Turbine Sickness Prevented by Money Drug.” Wind Turbine Sickness Prevented by Money Drug – The Drum Opinion (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). The Drum Opinion, 29 Mar. 2011. Web. <http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/45730.html>.
Chapman, Simon. “Wind Turbine Syndrome: A Classic “‘communicated’ Disease.” The Conversation. N.p., 20 July 2012. Web. <http://theconversation.edu.au/wind-turbine-syndrome-a-classic-communicated-disease-8318>.
Delingpole, James. “Are Wind Farms Saving or Killing Us? A Provocative Investigation Claims Thousands of People Are Falling Sick Because They Live near Them.” Mail Online. N.p., 8 Sept. 2012. Web. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2199284/Wind-farms-Are-wind-farms-saving-killing-A-provocative-investigation-claims-thousands-people-falling-sick-live-near-them.html>.
Kloor, Keith. “Nocebo Doubt About It: “Wind Turbine Syndrome” Is Catching.” Discover- The Magazine of Science, Technology. and the Future. N.p., 23 Oct. 2012. Web. <http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2012/10/23/nocebo-doubt-about-it-wind-turbine-syndrome-is-catching/#.ULZ48sVhAX9>.
Knopper, and Ollson. “Health Effects and Wind Turbines: A Review of the Literature.” (2011):n. pag. Environmental Health. Web. <http://www.ehjournal.net/content/10/1/78>.
Pedersen, Eja. “Health Aspects Associated with Wind Turbine Noise—Results from Three Field Studies.” Noise Control Engineering Journal 59(1) (2011): 47-53. Web.
“Sound and Health.” Land-Based Wind Energy: A Guide to Understanding the Issues and Making Informed Decisions. Produced by CLF Ventures, Inc. In Partnership with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, June 2011. Web. <http://www.clfventures.org/wp-content/uploads/Wind_Guide.pdf>.
“Wind Turbine Health Impact Study.” Prepared For: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, 2012. Web. <http://www.mass.gov/dep/energy/wind/turbine_impact_study.pdf>.