Sounds or vibrations emitted from wind turbines have no adverse effect
on human health. This is the conclusion of an international panel of
experts, following a review of scientific literature on the health
effects associated with wind turbines.
The seven-member panel includes experts in the fields of medicine, audiology, acoustics, environmental health and public health from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Denmark.
The American Wind Energy Association and its Canadian counterpart established the panel to conduct a review of all current peer-reviewed scientific literature on the issue and provide an authoritative reference document for those making regulatory decisions on wind-turbine developments.
Dr Robert McCunney, one of the authors of the study and an occupational/environmental medicine physician and research scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said: “There is no evidence that the sounds, nor the sub-audible vibrations, emitted by wind turbines have any direct adverse physiological effects on humans.”
Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association, added that his organisation supports the responsible and sustainable development of wind energy in Canada.
He went on: “This study will go a long way in addressing people’s concerns and answering their questions about the effects of wind turbines.”
The document, Wind Vision 2025 – Powering Canada’s Future, is available at www.canwea.ca
