A study was conducted on 39 people living between 984 & 6562 ft from the nearest turbine of a wind farm, all of whom were suffering from the consequences of wind turbine noise from several different wind farms in the UK. Also, rec’d was correspondence from people living near wind farms in New Zealand and Australia, along with other evidence of people being similarly affected in France, Germany, Netherlands and the USA.  What this shows is there are many people suffering from the noise of wind turbines, and this is probably only the “tip of the iceberg”, which warrants further independent investigation.  There is much concern that if one complains about the noise, if they decide to move away their properties will be difficult to sell, and possibly devalued as a result.  These people feel they are in a “Catch 22” situation.

Study Conclusions:

1) These cases clearly show there are people living near turbines who are genuinely suffering from health effects from the noise. These people clearly state that at times the noise from turbines is unbearable.  The developers are usually heard to say that noise is not a problem.  Clearly this cannot be the case.

2) The range of symptoms includes headaches, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, stress, vertigo and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).  People complain of the noise, vibration and shadow flicker.

3) On searching through current literature, there are no papers written showing that turbines are harmless, only statements from acoustic experts giving their personal thoughts. Some have made statements saying that LFN from turbines does not have an effect on health.  These comments are made outside their area of expertise, and should be ignored until proper medical studies are carried out by medical researchers.

Sound and Noise:

1) Recently the European Union Noise Committee stated that noise is the biggest pollutant and the fastest growing pollutant in Europe.

2) There is no doubt that annoyance from noise adversely affects human well-being.  Evidence shows there is annoyance to people exposed for more than 1 year to sound levels of 37 dBA, and severe annoyance at 42 dBA.

3) Non-auditory effects of noise can be defined as all those effects on health and well-being which are caused by noise exposure, with the exclusion of effects on the hearing organ.  There have been studies showing that aircraft noise, which contains high levels of LFN, can decrease cognitive function resulting in decreased scholastic achievement. It is obvious that health issues relating to wind turbines are caused by non-auditory effects, as the sound pressure levels are not high enough to cause an auditory effect (i.e. hearing impairment).

4) Low frequency noise contributes to the overall audible noise of turbines, but it also produces a seismic characteristic, which is the complaint from people when they say that not only can they hear the noise, but they can also feel it.

5) Low frequency noise has been extensively researched in Portugal, and has been found to cause VAD.  Although research has been mainly concerned with high levels of LFN, it is felt that over years lower levels of LFN may cause similar problems. It appears LFN compromises cells, which leads to structural changes of tissues and cells.

6) Work done by Fritz van den Berg has shown that noise from wind turbines at night can be 15-18 dB’s higher than during the day, due to atmospheric changes.  Therefore, when we are resting in bed at night, the noise from the wind turbines can be at their loudest and most disturbing.  Noise induced sleep disturbance is well known to have adverse health effects & has been studied extensively.  Due to the indisputable restorative function of sleep, noise induced sleep disturbances are regarded as the most harmful effects of noise.

Summary:

1) There are many people living near wind turbines who are suffering from problems with their health.

2) The noise produced from wind turbines is an extremely complex one and it is the complexity of the noise and vibration which causes the disturbance.

3) From discussions with people suffering who live near wind farms, it seems that the symptoms can occur up to a mile from the wind farm.  Until further independent medical and epidemiological research has been carried out, no turbines should be sited closer than 1.5 miles from the nearest residence.