Assessing Environmental Impacts of Offshore Wind Farms: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Future

Abstract

The association between wind turbines and health effects is highly debated. Some argue that reported health effects are related to wind turbine operation [electromagnetic fields (EMF), shadow flicker, audible noise, low-frequency noise, infrasound]. Others suggest that when turbines are sited correctly, effects are more likely attributable to a number of subjective variables that result in an annoyed/stressed state. In this review, we provide a bibliographic-like summary and analysis of the science around this issue specifically in terms of noise (including audible, low-frequency noise, and infrasound), EMF, and shadow flicker. Now there are roughly 60 scientific peer-reviewed articles on this issue.The available scientific evidence suggests that EMF, shadow flicker, low-frequency noise, and infrasound from wind turbines are not likely to affect human health; some studies have found that audible noise from wind turbines can be annoying to some. Annoyance may be associated with some self-reported health effects (e.g., sleep disturbance) especially at sound pressure levels >40 dB(A). Because environmental noise above certain levels is a recognized factor in a number of health issues, siting restrictions have been implemented in many jurisdictions to limit noise exposure. These setbacks should help alleviate annoyance from noise. Subjective variables (attitudes and expectations) are also linked to annoyance and have the potential to facilitate other health complaints via the nocebo effect. Therefore, it is possible that a segment of the population may remain annoyed (or report other health impacts) even when noise limits are enforced. Based on the findings and scientific merit of the available studies, the weight of evidence suggests that when sited properly, wind turbines are not related to adverse health. Stemming from this review, we provide a number of recommended best practices for wind turbine development in the context of human health.

Health Effects Related to Wind Turbine Sound, Including Low-Frequency Sound and Infrasound

“…Some reviews were dismissed after reading the full text, since they were highly anecdotal, no health impact was estimated, incomplete or only concerned occupational exposure, etc. The remaining ten recent and leading reviews and policy documents (described in 11 manuscripts: [1,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] draw comparable conclusions about the health effects of wind turbine sound: in general, an association is found between annoyance and the level of wind turbine sound. Also, an association between sound level and sleep disturbance is considered plausible, even though a direct relation is uncertain because of the limited number of studies with sometimes contradictory results.…”

Noise and Vibration Issues of Wind Turbines and Their Impact – A Review

“…There are two main categories of concerns that could affect human health as a result of wind turbines [13,14]. 1.…”

“…The effects of noise on people can be classified into three general categories [ [13,14,19]. Experts concluded that the sounds from wind turbines are not unique and there is no evidence to believe that the sounds from wind turbines could plausibly have direct adverse health consequences [16,19,22].…”

“…Annoyance to swishing, thumping sound generated by turbines is the most frequently documented effect of low frequency noise from turbines, not that of loudness or noisiness. Visual presence of wind turbines highly affects the noise annoyance reports and is likely a cause for bias [2,13,14,23]. The annoyance caused by wind turbines may be associated with certain reported health effects.…”

“…The potential health effects from low frequency noise include: noise-induced hearing impairment; interference with speech communication; disturbance of rest and sleep; psycho physiological, mental health, and performance ability; effects on residential behavior and annoyance; interference with intended activities; Vibro-Acoustic Disease (VAD), Wind Turbine Syndrome [2,14].…”