July 13, 2017
Ireland

International expert to address Donegal wind farm meeting on the human impact of turbine noise

Donegal Now | 13th of July 2017 | www.donegalnow.com

An international expert on the human impacts of wind turbine noise will speak at a special conference in Donegal next week.

Dr Mariana Alves-Pereira is a specialist in the biological response to infrasound and low frequency noise (LFN) at the Lusofona University in Lisbon, Portugal.

Organised by Finn Valley Wind Action (FVWA), the event is open to all members of the public and every family who lives in the surrounding area of the proposed wind farm and indeed wind farms that have already been developed.

The event will take place in the Pyramid Suite, Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey on Thursday, July 20 at 8pm.

Dr Alves-Pereira has degrees in physics, biomedical engineering and a PhD in Environmental Science. Her team has been researching vibroacoustic disease since 1980 – initially focussed on the low frequency noise (LFN) that impacted aeronautical technicians.

Late in 2013, Dr Alves-Pereira presented a case study from Portugal where a family was found to be exposed to Low Frequency Noise caused by the operation of nearby wind turbines (2006-2013).

On-off testing showed the increase in Low Frequency Noise inside the home was indeed associated with turbine operation. Medical tests showed the people who were living inside the home had impaired brain function in relation to responding to stimuli as well as their control of breathing.

“Dr Alves-Pereira who is well known for the research she has conducted in this area has kindly agreed to give a presentation on the effects of low frequency noise from wind turbines so as to give the public at large and the local community an opportunity to hear firsthand the adverse effects that such a development can have on both human and animal health.

“As a second application for a huge industrial wind farm in the Finn Valley area is imminent, it is important that everyone knows and understands both the effects and consequences this development might have on their everyday life.

“This event is free and open to all, so please come along to learn more,” a FVWA spokesperson said.

Other guest speakers on the night will include Ms Paula Byrne, PRO Wind Aware Ireland, and Dr Dan Kane, Chairman of Wind Watch NI.

Ms Byrne has a background in healthcare and is currently undertaking PHD in Health Research while Dr Kane has presented evidence of the adverse effects of wind turbines to four successive Ministers of the Environment in Northern Ireland and has written numerous papers on the subject.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/07/13/international-expert-to-address-donegal-wind-farm-meeting-on-the-human-impact-of-turbine-noise/