In
my view, such a strong, dismissive statement fails to recognize an
important recommendation of the Chatham-Kent
tribunal, specifically “that there are some risks
and uncertainties associated with wind turbines that merit further
research.”Alec N. Salt, Ph.D., Cochlear Fluids Research Laboratory, Washington University in St. Louis.
The Wind Turbine Industry is generally dismissive of claims that wind turbines can affect human health. For example, Scott Smith, vice president of policy for CanWEA (the Canadian Wind Energy Association), referring to the report of the Chatham-Kent Tribunal (Spring 2011) stated “The wind energy industry welcomes the tribunal’s decision, as it is consistent with the balance of expert scientific and medical information which clearly indicates there is no direct link between wind turbines and effects on human health” (my emphasis added).
In
my view, such a strong, dismissive statement fails to recognize an
important recommendation of the Chatham-Kent
tribunal, specifically “that there are some risks
and uncertainties associated with wind turbines that merit further
research.”
We agree that the effects of wind turbine noise on humans are largely unexplored and more research is needed. We believe that the infrasound levels generated by some large wind turbines are unusual in the environment and that there have been no systematic long-term studies of prolonged exposure to such sounds on humans or other animals.
The wind industry has taken the position that if you cannot hear the infrasound, then it cannot affect you. We disagree strongly. Although subjective hearing is insensitive to infrasound, the ear itself does respond to such sounds and there are established pathways by which this information can be transmitted to the brain. In humans, this is probably a subconscious process, more likely used to cancel out internal infrasounds from the body so we don't hear them. But these pathways are linked to the alerting systems of the body, so stimulation could disturb sleep. In addition, after long-term exposure it is scientifically plausible that the brain learns that the infrasound represents an external signal and locks in on it, in a manner similar to tinnitus (ringing in the ears). In our view, the possibility that wind turbine noise may have adverse effects on humans cannot be dismissed. These web pages consider in more detail some of the areas that we have expertise.
Publications:
Reprints of publications may be available if you e-mail me at salta@ent.wustl.edu
Specific Issues Considered:
Industrial
Wind Turbines Generate Infrasound.
The
Ear Detects Infrasound at Levels that are not Heard
Infrasounds
you Cannot Hear Can
Affect
you.
Why
Wind Turbine Sound Measurements using the dB(A) Scale (A-weighted)are
Misleading.
Why
it is Difficult to Demonstrate the Infrasound Generated by Wind
Turbines
550
Meter (or lower) Setbacks are Insane !
Presentation
to Washington University Department of Otolaryngology, May 6th, 2011
"Infrasound,
the Inner Ear and Wind Turbines" - presentation to the Arkansas
Academy of Audiology (ARAA), Eureka Springs AK, April 29th, 2011
"Can
Wind Turbines be Bad for you? " - presentation to Boston
University Hearing Research Center, April 22nd, 2011
"Responses
of the Inner Ear to Infrasound" - presentation to the Wind
Turbine Noise Conference, Rome, April 11-14, 2011
Abstract
of presentation for Wind Turbine Noise Conference, Rome, April 11-14,
2011
Abstract
of Association for Research In Otolaryngology Presentation, Feb 20,
2011
Radio
Interview about Wind Turbines and Infrasound with Dale Goldhawk,
Zoomer Radio AM 740 Toronto, Nov 3, 2010
First
International Symposium, THE GLOBAL WIND INDUSTRY AND ADVERSE HEALTH
EFFECTS, Picton Ontario, October 29-31, 2010
NIDCD
Website: Scientist Challenges the Conventional Wisdom That What You
Can’t Hear Won't Hurt You
Radio
Health Journal: Wind Farms: Is there a Health hazard? Interview with
Reed Pence, August 1, 2010
Alec
Salt - Conflict of Interest Statement