[ exact phrase in "" ]

[ including uploaded files ]

ISSUES/LOCATIONS

List all documents, ordered…

By Title

By Author

View PDF, DOC, PPT, and XLS files on line
Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

RSS

Add NWW documents to your site (click here)

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

Wind turbine noise, sleep and health 

Author:  | Health, Noise, Regulations, U.K.

Summary

The principle purpose in regulating the noise emissions of industrial wind turbines is the protection of the sleep of those living nearby. Adequate sleep is essential for human health and well being.

Current guidance, ETSU-R-97, was formulated in 1997 and has never been revised despite considerable research and evidence of harm. Wind turbine noise differs from other sources of noise, such as traffic, in character and in causing annoyance. “Annoyance” in this context constitutes a degree of stress sufficient to impair health. Wind turbine noise cannot be treated in the same way as other noise sources. Evidence from a range of sources, set out in this paper, shows that current guidance permits industrial wind turbines to be sited too close to residential properties for the preservation of sleep and health of the residents. My expert opinion is that the minimum setback of large (>2MW) industrial wind turbines should be at least 1.5km from residential properties.

Legal opinion is clear that guidance such as ETSU-R-97 can be set aside if relevant evidence is presented that was not available to those that framed the guidance. The evidence presented constitute material considerations and it is therefore entirely reasonable for a planning authority to enforce a minimum setback distance on the grounds of noise and health.

The evidence provided here leads me answer the following questions from the Northumberland Council Core Strategy Issues and Options report thus:

Question 58 – Public health impact must be considered when assessing renewable and low carbon energy schemes.

Question 61- The council should have a recommended separation distance for turbines from houses on health grounds and the current body of evidence would support a distance of at least 1.5km.

Contents
Summary
Introduction

Background

Introduction
Sleep, sleep physiology and effects of noise
Psychological factors and noise sensitivity
Masking of turbine noise

Wind turbine noise, sleep and health

Introduction
Epidemiological and anecdotal studies
Expert opinion
Studies of health related effects
Sleep disturbance and health effects
Conclusions

ETSU-R-97
Overall Conclusions and Recommendations
Bibliography
Figures and Tables

Download original document: “Wind turbine noise, sleep and health

This material is the work of the author(s) indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this material resides with the author(s). As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Queries e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG Share

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon