April 24, 2011
Letters, Massachusetts

Wind turbine sound demands more study

Cape Cod Times, www.capecodonline.com 24 April 2011Cape Cod Times, www.capecodonline.com 24 April 2011

Health problems have been associated with the operation of several industrial wind turbine projects throughout the world. Turbines produce sound which appears to affect people. Some people appear more susceptible than others, and some turbine projects appear worse than others.

Both the good and the bad situations need to be studied further to understand the pathophysiology of sound: that is how sound affects people. The nature of the sound needs to be further described: the frequency of the sound and how sound varies with the type of turbine, wind velocity, weather, wind shear, topography, and other variables for each project.

We are fortunate to have the Cape Cod Commission, which is in the position to guide the development of industrial wind projects. The Minimum Performance Standards which have been adopted by the Assembly of Delegates are an appropriate starting point.

The development of the supporting Technical Bulletin. which can be modified as the pathophysiology of wind turbines is better understood, allows for future adjustment of the standards and the safe development of wind energy conversion facilities on Cape Cod.

Albert K. Weyman, MD

Brewster

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/24/wind-turbine-sound-demands-more-study/