New Environmental Illnesses: What Are Their Characteristics?

Henningsen, Peter; Priebe, Stefan

doi:10.1159/000071893

Cited by 32 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…For instance, expectations of negative reactions and worry about perceived risk may play a role in self-reported health impacts related to wind turbines (Crichton et al, 2014;Henningsen and Priebe, 2003). Others have found attitudinal factors, personality traits and personal benefit from wind turbines influenced the magnitude of the annoyance to wind turbines; which in turn may be responsible for reported health effects (Chapman et al, 2013;Rubin et al, 2014;Taylor et al, 2013;Pedersen et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An assessment of quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF among participants living in the vicinity of wind turbines

Feder

Michaud

Keith

et al. 2015

Environmental Research

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Living within the vicinity of wind turbines may have adverse impacts on health measures associated with quality of life (QOL). There are few studies in this area and inconsistent findings preclude definitive conclusions regarding the impact that exposure to wind turbine noise (WTN) may have on QOL. In the current study (officially titled the Community Noise and Health Study or CNHS), the World Health Organization QOL-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire provided an evaluation of QOL in relation to WTN levels among randomly selected participants aged 18-79 (606 males, 632 females) living between 0.25 and 11.22 km from wind turbines (response rate 78.9%). In the multiple regression analyses, WTN levels were not found to be related to scores on the Physical, Psychological, Social or Environment domains, or to rated QOL and Satisfaction with Health questions. However, some wind turbine-related variables were associated with scores on the WHOQOL-BREF, irrespective of WTN levels. Hearing wind turbines for less than one year (compared to not at all and greater than one year) was associated with improved (i.e. higher) scores on the Psychological domain (p=0.0108). Lower scores on both the Physical and Environment domains (p=0.0218 and p=0.0372, respectively), were observed among participants reporting high visual annoyance toward wind turbines. Personal benefit from having wind turbines in the area was related to higher scores on the Physical domain (p=0.0417). Other variables significantly related to one or more domains, included sex, age, marital status, employment, education, income, alcohol consumption, smoking status, chronic diseases and sleep disorders. Collectively, results do not support an association between exposure to WTN up to 46 dBA and QOL assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An assessment of quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF among participants living in the vicinity of wind turbines

Feder

Michaud

Keith

et al. 2015

Environmental Research

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“…EHS is thus similar to other 'modern' illnesses in which non-specifi c symptoms are attributed to supposedly toxic exposures despite a lack of scientifi c evidence to support this attribution. For instance, patients who report multiple chemical sensitivity, dental amalgam intolerance and sick building syndrome all describe a similarly broad range of non-specifi c symptoms to EHS patients and display similar patterns of 'overvalued' ideas regarding their aetiology [7] .…”

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confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Treatments for Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity

Rubin

Das‐Munshi

Wessely

2005

Psychother Psychosom

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Background: Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) is a poorly understood condition in which patients report symptoms following perceived exposure to weak electromagnetic fields (EMFs) such as those produced by mobile phones or visual display units. Little is known about the aetiology of the condition although experimental data suggest that EMFs are an unlikely causal agent. In this systematic review we assessed the efficacy of any treatment for people reporting EHS. Methods: Twelve literature databases were examined to identify relevant studies. We also hand-searched conference proceedings and examined the reference sections of reviews and other papers. Only clinical trials that compared the efficacy of a potential treatment for EHS against a control condition were included in the review. Results: Nine controlled clinical trials were identified, examining the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy (4 studies), visual display unit screen filters (2 studies), ‘shielding’ EMF emitters (1 study), supplementary antioxidant therapy (1 study) and acupuncture (1 study). The quality of these studies was limited. Nevertheless, their results suggest that cognitive behavioural therapy is more effective than providing no treatment. None of the other therapies have had their efficacy adequately demonstrated. Conclusions: The evidence base concerning treatment options for EHS is limited and more research is needed before any definitive clinical recommendations can be made. However, the best evidence currently available suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy is effective for patients who report being hypersensitive to weak EMFs.

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“…Negative attitudes and worries of individuals about perceived environmental risks have been shown to be associated with adverse health-related symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, agitation, and depression, even in the absence of an identifiable cause (94)(95)(96). Psychogenic factors, such as the circulation of negative information and priming of expectations have been shown to impact self-assessments following exposure to wind turbine noise (6)(7)(8).…”

Section: Weight Of Evidence Conclusionmentioning

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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New Environmental Illnesses: What Are Their Characteristics?

Cited by 32 publications

References 11 publications

An assessment of quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF among participants living in the vicinity of wind turbines

An assessment of quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF among participants living in the vicinity of wind turbines

A Systematic Review of Treatments for Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity

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

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