Noise radiation from wind turbines installed near homes: effects on health
Author: Frey, Barbara; and Hadden, Peter
Includes an annotated review of the research and related issues. The authors have also set up a web site to collect information about noise from people living near large wind turbines: www.windturbinenoisehealthhumanrights.com.
The paper concludes that wind turbines of rated capacity 750 kW to 2 MW should be no closer than 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) from any residence. The distance should be greater for larger turbines.
“The acoustic characteristics of wind turbines are complex and in combination produce acoustic radiation. … Primarily, the consequent health response includes sleep deprivation and the problems that ensue as a result. In addition, this paper reviews articles that report research about the body’s response not only to the audible noise, but also to the inaudible components of noise that can adversely affect the body’s physiology. Research points to a causal link between unwanted sound and sleep deprivation and stress, i.e., whole body physiologic responses.
“These injuries are considered in the context of Human Rights, where it is contended that the environmental noise pollution destroys a person’s effective enjoyment of right to respect for home and private life, a violation of Article 8 of the European Court of Human Rights Act.”
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Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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