Infrasound and low frequency noise from wind turbines: exposure and health effects

Bolin, Karl; Bluhm, Gösta; Eriksson, Gabriella; Nilsson, Mats

doi:10.1088/1748-9326/6/3/035103

Cited by 85 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Bolin et al [108] calculated and compared wind turbine and road traffic sound over a broad frequency range (0-2000 Hz) at sound levels considered acceptable in planning guidelines (40 dB L Aeq for wind turbine sound and 55 dB L Aeq for road traffic sound). Compared to road traffic sound, wind turbine sound had lower levels at low frequencies.…”

Section: Audibility Of Infrasound and Low-frequency Soundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Effects Related to Wind Turbine Sound, Including Low-Frequency Sound and Infrasound

Kamp

Berg

2017

Acoust Aust

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A narrative review of observational and experimental studies was conducted to assess the association between exposure to wind turbine sound and its components and health effects in the general population. Literature databases Scopus, Medline and Embase and additional bibliographic sources such as reference sections of key publications and journal databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed studies published from 2009 to 2017. For the period until early 2015 only reviews were included, while for the period between January 2015 and January 2017 all relevant publications were screened. Ten reviews and 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies examined subjective annoyance as the primary outcome, indicating an association between exposure levels and the percentage highly annoyed. Sound from wind turbines leads to a higher percentage of highly annoyed when compared to other sound sources. Annoyance due to aspects, like shadow flicker, the visual (in) appropriateness in the landscape and blinking lights, can add to the noise annoyance. There is no evidence of a specific effect of the low-frequency component nor of infrasound. There are indications that the rhythmic pressure pulses on a building can lead to additional annoyance indoors. Personal characteristics such as noise sensitivity, privacy issues and social acceptance, benefits and attitudes, the local situation and the conditions of planning a wind farm also play a role in reported annoyance. Less data are available to evaluate the effects of wind turbines on sleep and long-term health effects. Sleep disturbance as well as other health effects in the vicinity of wind turbines was found to be related to annoyance, rather than directly to exposure.

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Section: Audibility Of Infrasound and Low-frequency Soundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Effects Related to Wind Turbine Sound, Including Low-Frequency Sound and Infrasound

Kamp

Berg

2017

Acoust Aust

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“…However, it was not clear how this conclusion might have been altered had they considered the additional available information regarding LFN and infrasound from wind turbines described elsewhere in this review [i.e., (7,11,22,37,38)]. …”

Section: Review Articles Editorials and Social Commentariesmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…It should be noted that, as discussed in the "Low-Frequency Noise and Infrasound" section of this review, there were a number of studies that specifically addressed the concerns of LFN and infrasound from wind turbines that suggested that these were unlikely to be causative agents in health effects of those living near wind turbines [e.g., (7,11,22,37,38)]. Unfortunately, none of these studies were included as part of the Farboud et al review.…”

Section: Review Articles Editorials and Social Commentariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Environmental Impacts of Offshore Wind Farms: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Future

Adaramola¹

2015

Wind Resources and Future Energy Security

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The association between wind turbines and health effects is highly debated. Some argue that reported health effects are related to wind turbine operation [electromagnetic fields (EMF), shadow flicker, audible noise, low-frequency noise, infrasound]. Others suggest that when turbines are sited correctly, effects are more likely attributable to a number of subjective variables that result in an annoyed/stressed state. In this review, we provide a bibliographic-like summary and analysis of the science around this issue specifically in terms of noise (including audible, low-frequency noise, and infrasound), EMF, and shadow flicker. Now there are roughly 60 scientific peer-reviewed articles on this issue.The available scientific evidence suggests that EMF, shadow flicker, low-frequency noise, and infrasound from wind turbines are not likely to affect human health; some studies have found that audible noise from wind turbines can be annoying to some. Annoyance may be associated with some self-reported health effects (e.g., sleep disturbance) especially at sound pressure levels >40 dB(A). Because environmental noise above certain levels is a recognized factor in a number of health issues, siting restrictions have been implemented in many jurisdictions to limit noise exposure. These setbacks should help alleviate annoyance from noise. Subjective variables (attitudes and expectations) are also linked to annoyance and have the potential to facilitate other health complaints via the nocebo effect. Therefore, it is possible that a segment of the population may remain annoyed (or report other health impacts) even when noise limits are enforced. Based on the findings and scientific merit of the available studies, the weight of evidence suggests that when sited properly, wind turbines are not related to adverse health. Stemming from this review, we provide a number of recommended best practices for wind turbine development in the context of human health.

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“…-Bakker [11] Another source of bias was that three of the studies were reviews of previous literature [6,12,17].…”

Section: Risk Of Bias Across Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review 2013: Association between Wind Turbines and Human Distress

Arra¹,

Lynn²,

Barker³

et al. 2014

Cureus

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Infrasound and low frequency noise from wind turbines: exposure and health effects

Cited by 85 publications

References 40 publications

Health Effects Related to Wind Turbine Sound, Including Low-Frequency Sound and Infrasound

Health Effects Related to Wind Turbine Sound, Including Low-Frequency Sound and Infrasound

Assessing Environmental Impacts of Offshore Wind Farms: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Future

Systematic Review 2013: Association between Wind Turbines and Human Distress

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