Do Wind Farms Pose Health Threat to Neighbors?
December 17th, 2009 by 
Living near wind farms does not pose adverse health effects, according to a new study.
The research, conducted by a seven-member panel of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other institutions, was funded by the American and Canadian wind industry associations.
The 85-page report says there is no medical basis for concerns that the audible or “subaudible” sounds of spinning wind turbines cause physiological harm to people who live nearby.
The authors did say, however, that wind farms could create an “annoyance factor” among some individuals, including stress “exacerbated by the rhetoric, fears, and negative publicity” that often surrounds such energy projects.
“People’s attitudes towards wind turbines have a lot to do with whether they reported annoyance,” said Robert McCunney, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and panel member.
Critics said the industry-financed report was biased and called for a more “authoritative epidemiological and clinical study.” The Telegraph, a UK-based newspaper, recently reported that a British agency reviewing wind farm approvals had buried a consultant’s report suggesting that nighttime noise restrictions be imposed to address concerns about sleep disruption.
Article appearing courtesy of Yale Environment 360
[photo credit: matski_98]
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