Arra, Ian; and Lynn, Hazel
Study Objectives
To search the literature investigating the presence or absence of association between wind turbines induced-noise and human distress.
Null Hypothesis (Our investigation will disprove or fail to disprove [a null hypothesis can never be proven]):
There is no association between wind turbines induced-noise and human distress.
Alternative Hypothesis (Will be accepted if the Null is disproven):
An association exists between wind turbines induced-noise and human distress.
[1]
Databases Included in the Search
- EMBASE: “more than 7,600 currently indexed peer-reviewed journals”
- PubMed: A commonly used database for clinical research
- PsycINFO: “is an expansive abstracting and indexing database with more than 3 million records devoted to peer-reviewed literature in the behavioral sciences and mental health, making it an ideal discovery and linking tool for scholarly research in a host of disciplines.”
- The Cochrane Library: “Database of Systematic Reviews”
- Scopus “The largest abstract and citation database of research literature and quality web sources covering nearly 18,000 titles from more than 5,000 publishers”.
- Scirus: “Scirus is the most comprehensive science-specific search engine on the Internet. Driven by the latest search engine technology, Scirus searches over 440 million science-specific Web pages”
- Open SIGLE (System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe)
Study Design Inclusion Criteria:
- Studies examining association between wind turbine noise and distress
- Studies that are published in peer-reviewed journals
- English language
- Studies involving humans
Exclusion Criteria:
- Investigations reporting interim analysis that did not result in stopping the study
- Secondary and long-term update
- Duplicate reports
- Cost effectiveness and economic studies
Variables Considered in This Review
- First Author
- Year of publication
- Journal of Publication
- Country of Study
- Study Design
- Sample Size
- Response Rate
- Objective of Study
- Level of Evidence
- Quality of Study
- Conclusion of Study Effect
Variables Examined in the Studies
- Annoyance (sensitivity to noise)
- Attitude to wind turbines
- Sleep Disturbance
- Dose-response
- Economical benefit
- Visual impact
- Well-being (Quality of Life / mental effect)
- Infrasound effect (Road Traffic Noise / quiet rural environment)
Results (click each graphic to enlarge)
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
Discussion
- All studies rejected the Null Hypothesis (no association between wind turbine noise and human distress). In other words, evidence of association was found (weak evidence: Level 4 and 5).
- No published peer-reviewed study showed no association.
- Three studies showed dose-response relationship.
- The studies are level 4 or 5 (a weak type of evidence). Nevertheless, [they] strongly warrant further research (multiple studies, multiple designs, investigating multiple hypotheses).
Ian Arra, MD, MSc; Hazel Lynn, MD, FCFP, MHSc
Download original document: “Literature Review 2013: Association between Wind Turbine Noise and Human Distress [7]”
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/association-between-wind-turbine-noise-and-human-distress-literature-review/
URLs in this post:
[1] Image: https://docs.wind-watch.org/Arra-Lynn-p08.gif
[2] Image: https://docs.wind-watch.org/Arra-Lynn-p20.gif
[3] Image: https://docs.wind-watch.org/Arra-Lynn-p23.gif
[4] Image: https://docs.wind-watch.org/Arra-Lynn-p24.gif
[5] Image: https://docs.wind-watch.org/Arra-Lynn-p25.gif
[6] Image: https://docs.wind-watch.org/Arra-Lynn-p26.gif
[7] Literature Review 2013: Association between Wind Turbine Noise and Human Distress: https://docs.wind-watch.org/Arra-Lynn-Lit-Rev-2013-Wind-Turbine-Noise-Human-Distress.pdf
Click here to print.
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]