Daniel Ehrenpreis<\/p>\n
Professor Grace<\/p>\n
EK 132 Health Policy<\/p>\n
November 19, 2012<\/p>\n
Controversy: Wind Turbines and their Potential Effect on the Human Ear<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cNoise is the most persistent physical contaminant in the human environment, especially in developed countries\u201d(Fernandez). Not only is noise a contaminant, it is also an extremely controversial matter associated with wind turbines. Turbines throughout the world have been extremely controversial mainly because of their potential effects on the human ear. This \u201csound\u201d debate focuses on whether or not wind turbines can ultimately affect the inner-ear of an individual, and if they do how these problems could be resolved. Many complaints have been recorded associated with the frequency produced by the turbine, but is this frequency really a hazard, or simply just a disturbance?<\/p>\n According to an article talking about the noise patterns of wind turbines,<\/p>\n \u201cthe mechanical noise is audible \u2013 its band is above 100 Hz. This frequency range does not pose a serious threat to the natural environment, which is far from the source, e.g. when an area\u00a0\u00a0is acoustically protected since sounds are muffled\u00a0by the air or absorbed by the ground. Moreover, most wind turbines are properly insulated against the noise made by elements of the engine pod \u2013 which\u00a0additionally reduces the noise\u201d (Bilski).<\/p>\n In this article, Bilski writes about his research with the frequency at which a wind turbine functions and then compares it to the frequencies that a human ear can pick up. In the above quotation Bilski is saying that wind turbine frequencies are safe for the human ear, because of the wide area surrounding these turbines. Even if the turbine is producing a certain pitch of noise, the air and ground surrounding the turbine will absorb most of the noise, acting almost like a cushion between an individual and the frequency.<\/p>\n In another article found within the New York Times, it was concluded that, \u201c\u2026the American and Canadian wind industry associations found no medical basis for the health complaints that often arise near large wind-farm projects\u2026the authors did, however, concede that some people are irritated by turbine swishing noises, especially in the absence of other ambient sound\u201d (Lorinc). This quotation is In Cardwell\u2019s article the turbine\u2019s noise was merely described as an \u201cirritant\u201d, yet there were many other cases that associated the noise with a more prominent effect. Citizens began to report that, \u201capart from more serious ailments, residents have cited the swooshing of the blades as a factor in problems like disturbances in the vestibular system that affect the inner ear and balance\u201d (Kaufman). This quotation shares one of the more extreme viewpoints on a wind turbine\u2019s effect on a population. This irritating noise, described by both Lorinc and Cardwell, is now being considered a major threat to both hearing and balance, according to Kaufman. With this potential threat in mind, government agencies began to look further into the noise that a wind turbine exuded and found yet another shocking effect that a wind turbine\u2019s noise may have on the human ear. In an article published online entitled, \u201cImpact of Wind Turbine Sound on Annoyance, Self-reported Sleep Disturbance and Psychological Distress\u201d, it was finally reported that \u201csound exposure was also related to sleep disturbance and psychological distress among those who reported that they could hear the sound, however not directly but with noise <\/strong>annoyance acting as a mediator\u201d (Bakker). This new article, published in May 2012, finally shocked government officials into fully investigating these This debate between whether or not a wind turbine can affect the human ear is still under investigation, and is still just as controversial in communities living near turbines. One major question is still left unanswered: how can this controversy be resolved? In my opinion, the way in which wind turbines are regulated needs to change. \u201cCurrently, “regulation” of wind turbines is done at the local level through local boards of health and zoning boards\u201d (Wind Turbine Health). This quotation taken from an article published in the Massachusetts \u201cWind Turbine Health Impact Study\u201d shows how turbines are regulated solely through local boards rather than through state governments. I believe that in order to resolve this debate, and remove populations from the potential harm of wind turbines, regulation must be placed into the hands of state governments. Even though local governments may focus on issues relating to their specific community, the state government holds a higher power, and can thus influence the regulation of wind turbines even more than at a local level of government.<\/p>\n Controversial is the one word that can fully describe just how strongly debated wind turbines are throughout the world. Between the research\/evidence that is found both supporting and refuting the existence of the potential negative impact a wind turbine has on the human ear, this debate will always be a topic of interest to governments around the world. Many people may complain about the noises exuding from the swooshing blades, and journals may be scattered with the detailed observances of mental and physical impacts on humans through the turbine\u2019s frequency. But, simply enough, \u201cthe impact of wind turbine noise on health and well-being has not yet been well-established and remains under debate. Long-term effects, especially, are not known, because of the short time wind turbines have been operating and the relatively few people who have so far been exposed to wind turbine noise\u201d (Pedersen). So yes, people may debate all they want over this issue, but research into this field is on-going, and will continue until there is definitive proof of a negative impact on the human ear.<\/p>\n Works Cited<\/span><\/p>\n Bakker, R.H., E. Pedersen, G.P. Van Den Berg, R.E. Bilski, Bartosz. “Factors Influencing Social Cardwell, Diane. “Neighbors Win Court Round Over Fernandez, Marcos D., Samuel Quintana, Jose A. Kaufman, Leslie. “Wind Turbines and Health Lorinc, John. “Study: No Health Impact From Wind Turbines.” Pedersen, Eja. “Health Aspects Associated with Wind “Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of the <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Daniel Ehrenpreis Professor Grace EK 132 Health Policy November 19, 2012 Controversy: Wind Turbines and their Potential Effect on the Human Ear \u201cNoise is the most persistent physical contaminant in the human environment, especially in developed countries\u201d(Fernandez). Not only is noise a contaminant, it is also an extremely controversial matter associated with wind turbines. Turbines […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3631,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[26959],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3631"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=521"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":523,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions\/523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/ek130wind\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nanother vital piece of evidence that helps to solidify the argument that wind turbine frequencies do not have an association with medical issues. Even though Lorinc reported that wind turbines have no medical effect on humans, he brought up the counter perspective of the irritation that a turbine\u2019s frequency provides to a population. In another New York Times article Diane Cardwell reported on a town in Maine that won a court case over the removal of wind turbines due to the \u201cnoise from (the turbine\u2019s) 123-foot spinning blades\u201d (Cardwell). In this article the other side of the debate was analyzed and viewed from the perspective of local citizens living near the turbines. Cardwell\u2019s article reinforced Lorinc\u2019s statement that turbines are an irritant to the population, and thus a potential problem for citizens living in the area.<\/p>\n
\nharmful effects on humans that wind turbines may inflict.<\/p>\n
\nStewart, W. Lok, and J. Bouma. “Impact of Wind Turbine Sound on Annoyance,
\nSelf-reported Sleep Disturbance and Psychological Distress.” (n.d.): n.
\npag. May 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.
\n<http:\/\/web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.bu.edu\/ehost\/detail?sid=3ba1950b-d551-4bfd-85b5-a3a5be17b932%40sessionmgr112&vid=6&hid=104&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=eih&AN=74551575>.<\/p>\n
\nPerception of Investments in the Wind Power Industry with an Analysis of Influence of the
\nMost Significant Environmental Factor-Exposure to Noise.” Polish
\nJournal of Environmental Studies<\/em> (2012): 289-95. Print<\/p>\n
\nWind Farm Noise.” Green Neighbors Win <\/em>Court Round Over Wind Farm Noise Comments<\/em>. New York Times, 23 Mar. 2012. Web. 19 Nov.
\n2012. <http:\/\/green.blogs.nytimes.com\/2012\/03\/23\/neighbors-win-court-round-over-wind-farm-noise\/>.<\/p>\n
\nBallesteros, and Noelia Chavarria. “Are Workers in the Construction Sector
\nOverexposed to Noise?” Noise & Vibration Worldwide<\/em> 41.2 (2010):
\n11-14. Print.<\/p>\n
\nHazards.” Green Wind Turbines and Health <\/em>Hazards Comments<\/em>. New York Times, 18 Jan. 2012. Web. 19 Nov.
\n2012.
\n<http:\/\/green.blogs.nytimes.com\/2012\/01\/18\/wind-turbines-and-health-hazards\/>.<\/p>\n
\nGreen Study No Health Impact <\/em>From Wind Turbines Comments<\/em>. New York Times, 16 Dec. 2009. Web. 19 Nov.
\n2012.
\n<http:\/\/green.blogs.nytimes.com\/2009\/12\/16\/study-no-health-impact-from-turbines\/>.<\/p>\n
\nTurbine Noise\u2014Results from Three.” Noise Control Engineering Journal<\/em> (2011): 47-53. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.
\n<http:\/\/web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.bu.edu\/ehost\/pdfviewer\/pdfviewer?sid=3ba1950b-d551-4bfd-85b5-a3a5be17b932%40sessionmgr112&vid=11&hid=104>.<\/p>\n
\nIndependent Expert Panel.” Wind Turbine <\/em>Health Impact Study<\/em>. N.p., Jan. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.
\n<http:\/\/www.mass.gov\/dep\/energy\/wind\/impactstudy.htm>.<\/p>\n