Exposure to wind turbine noise: Perceptual responses and reported health effects

Abstract

Health Canada, in collaboration with Statistics Canada, and other external experts, conducted the Community Noise and Health Study to better understand the impacts of wind turbine noise (WTN) on health and well-being. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out between May and September 2013 in southwestern Ontario and Prince Edward Island on 1238 randomly selected participants (606 males, 632 females) aged 18-79 years, living between 0.25 and 11.22 km from operational wind turbines. Calculated outdoor WTN levels at the dwelling reached 46 dBA. Response rate was 78.9% and did not significantly differ across sample strata. Self-reported health effects (e.g., migraines, tinnitus, dizziness, etc.), sleep disturbance, sleep disorders, quality of life, and perceived stress were not related to WTN levels. Visual and auditory perception of wind turbines as reported by respondents increased significantly with increasing WTN levels as did high annoyance toward several wind turbine features, including the following: noise, blinking lights, shadow flicker, visual impacts, and vibrations. Concern for physical safety and closing bedroom windows to reduce WTN during sleep also increased with increasing WTN levels. Other sample characteristics are discussed in relation to WTN levels. Beyond annoyance, results do not support an association between exposure to WTN up to 46 dBA and the evaluated health-related endpoints.

Thirty years of North American wind energy acceptance research: What have we learned?

“…Recent epidemiological research concludes that wind turbine sound and infrasound 8 are not directly related to adverse human health effects (Knopper & Ollson, 2011;Knopper et al, 2014;Michaud et al, 2016a) or sleep quality (Michaud et al, 2016b). Some research attributes wind-related health symptoms to the "nocebo" hypothesis, in which the expectation of negative health effects influences symptoms experienced (Knopper et al, 2014).…”

“…Annoyance from wind turbine sound 5.2.1 Some studies have correlated turbine sound with annoyance, which may be associated with sleep disturbance, negative emotions, or other health-related effects (Knopper & Ollson, 2011;Knopper et al, 2014;Michaud et al, 2016a). The annoyance experienced by people living near utility-scale wind facilities is correlated to more negative attitudes (Fast et al, 2016;Firestone et al, 2015).…”

“…Health impacts Baxter et al, 2013Knopper & Ollson, 2011Knopper et al, 2014Magari et al, 2014Michaud et al, 2016a2016bSongsore & Buzzelli, 2014Walker et al, 2014c What types of sounds cause the most stress or sleep disruption? Kaliski & Neeraj, 2013Knopper & Ollson, 2011Knopper et al, 2014Nissenbaum et al, 2012Petrova, 2016Phadke, 2013 Apostol et al, 2016Brannstrom et al, 2011Bush & Hoagland, 2016Fergen & Jacquet, 2016Firestone & Kemption, 2007Firestone et al, 2015Gipe, 19931995Hirsch & Sovacool, 2013Jacquet & Stedman, 2013Krueger et al, 2011Larson & Krannich, 2016Olson-Hazboun et al, 2016Pasqualetti, 20002001;2011aPasqualetti & Bultler, 1987Pasqualetti et al, 2002Petrova 2016Phadke, 2010Rule, 2014Thayer & Freeman, 1987 Groothuis et al, 2008Jensen et al, 2014Krueger et al, 2011Pasqualetti, 2001 Place Attachment Bidwell, 2013Firestone et al, 2009Jacquet & Stedman, 2013 More research ...…”

The Selection of Wind Power Project Location in the Southeastern Corridor of Pakistan: A Factor Analysis, AHP, and Fuzzy-TOPSIS Application

“…Development cost [39,40] Public health and community impact [41] Wind data availability [27,42] Government policies [43] Effect on economic development of nearby areas [31] On-grid accessibility [29][30][31] Wildlife and habitat impact [42] Climate conditions [29] Land acquisition [39,40] Distance from residential areas [27,30,31] Road availability [28][29][30][31] Area of flatland and without forest cover [27,29] Skilled manpower availability [39,40] Relocation and rehabilitation [42] Effect on employment and agriculture [44] Social acceptance [43] In summary, the main criteria considered in this study (i.e., economic, technical, environmental, political, and social factors) are vital aspects of wind power plant development in Pakistan.…”

Clarifications on the Design and Interpretation of Conclusions from Health Canada’s Study on Wind Turbine Noise and Health

“…This over-sampling was also intended to better characterize the exposure-response relationship between WTN levels and various self-reported and objectively measured outcomes in areas where potential health impacts were more likely to be observed. As shown in Michaud et al [1], reproduced as Table 1, participants in the lowest WTN exposure category had similar demographics compared to participants in other WTN categories. Demographically, some minor differences were found with respect to age, employment, type of dwelling and dwelling ownership; however, with the possible exception of employment, these factors showed no obvious pattern with WTN levels and none were strong enough to exert an influence on the overall results.…”