Wind turbines do not adversely affect health...

Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects An Expert Panel Review

Wind energy enjoys considerable public support, but it also has its detractors, who have
publicized their concerns that the sounds emitted from wind turbines cause adverse health
consequences.

In response to those concerns, the American and Canadian Wind Energy Associations
(AWEA and CanWEA) established a scientific advisory panel in early 2009 to conduct a
review of current literature available on the issue of perceived health effects of wind
turbines. This multidisciplinary panel is comprised of medical doctors, audiologists, and
acoustical professionals from the United States, Canada, Denmark, and the United
Kingdom. The objective of the panel was to provide an authoritative reference document for
legislators, regulators, and anyone who wants to make sense of the conflicting information
about wind turbine sound.

Following review, analysis, and discussion of current knowledge, the panel reached
consensus on the following conclusions:
• There is no evidence that the audible or sub-audible sounds emitted by wind turbines
have any direct adverse physiological effects.
• The ground-borne vibrations from wind turbines are too weak to be detected by, or to
affect, humans.
• The sounds emitted by wind turbines are not unique. There is no reason to believe,
based on the levels and frequencies of the sounds and the panel’s experience with sound
exposures in occupational settings, that the sounds from wind turbines could plausibly
have direct adverse health consequences.

(above is an exerpt from the report's Executive Summary)

Download the full report: Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects An Expert Panel Review

Download the executive summary: Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects An Expert Panel Review

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