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    n ur nes: o ey a ecn ur nes: o ey a ec

    Robert J.Robert J. McCunneyMcCunney, MD, MD

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    exposure concern: Noiseexposure concern: Noise

    (1) mechanical(1) mechanical--from gear box and controlfrom gear box and controlmec an sms anmec an sms an

    (2) aerodynamic(2) aerodynamic--operation of the bladesoperation of the blades

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    Noise Levels in decibels (dBA**)Noise Levels in decibels (dBA**)

    Jet Engines 140Jet Engines 140

    oc anoc an

    Tractor/power saw 100Tractor/power saw 100Lawn mower at 3 feet 95Lawn mower at 3 feet 95

    Busy restaurant 78Busy restaurant 78

    Speech range: 50Speech range: 50--7070

    Area near wind turbine (300 meters)Area near wind turbine (300 meters) 3535--45*45*

    * See Environmental Impacts of Wind Energy Projects, NRC (2007)* See Environmental Impacts of Wind Energy Projects, NRC (2007)

    Risk of hearing impairment: exposure > 80 dB (A) for manyRisk of hearing impairment: exposure > 80 dB (A) for manyyearsyears

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    ,,

    sound power from a single wind turbine "issound power from a single wind turbine "isusually around 90usually around 90--105 dB (A); such a turbine105 dB (A); such a turbine

    creates a sound pressure of 50creates a sound pressure of 50--60 dB (A) at a60 dB (A) at a

    distance of 40 meters (this is about the samedistance of 40 meters (this is about the sameeve as qu e conversa ona speec .eve as qu e conversa ona speec .

    Noise (sound pressure) levels from an onshoreNoise (sound pressure) levels from an onshore

    --range at a distance of about 300 meters.range at a distance of about 300 meters. (NRC)(NRC)

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    Speech frequency 500 HzSpeech frequency 500 Hz --20,000 Hz20,000 Hz

    Low frequency: 20Low frequency: 20--250 Hz250 HzInfra sound < 20 HzInfra sound < 20 Hz

    Three kinds of sound emitted by wind turbines that haveThree kinds of sound emitted by wind turbines that havereceived some attention arereceived some attention are::

    1. Infrasound1. Infrasound

    2. Low frequency sound of approximately 102. Low frequency sound of approximately 10--200 Hz200 Hz

    ..which is in the midwhich is in the mid--frequency range, approximately 500frequency range, approximately 500--1000 Hz1000 Hz..

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    Infra Sound and HearingInfra Sound and Hearing

    PerceptionPerceptionFreq 4 8 10 16 20

    Hz

    Noise

    Level

    (dB SPL)

    107 100 97 88 79

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    Infra Sound and HearingInfra Sound and Hearing

    PerceptionPerception

    The noise level (dB) refers to the loudnessThe noise level (dB) refers to the loudness

    at the respective frequency of the sound.at the respective frequency of the sound.n tur nes: ~ n rasoun em tte romn tur nes: ~ n rasoun em tte rom

    wind turbineswind turbines is at a level of 50 to 70 dB,is at a level of 50 to 70 dB,

    some mes g er, u we e ow esome mes g er, u we e ow eaudible threshold for infrasound.audible threshold for infrasound.

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    Wind Turbines: Are there healthWind Turbines: Are there health

    effects?effects?

    noise, it can travel long distances and passnoise, it can travel long distances and passthrough walls and windowsthrough walls and windows with little attenuationwith little attenuation..

    There is no evidence for physiological effectsThere is no evidence for physiological effects

    fromfrom infrasound or low frequency soundinfrasound or low frequency sound at theat thelevels generated from Wind Turbines.levels generated from Wind Turbines.

    There can, however, be effects from the soundsThere can, however, be effects from the sounds

    ecom ng au e, ut t ese are s m ar toecom ng au e, ut t ese are s m ar toeffects from other audible soundseffects from other audible sounds

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    wind turbines and health via Pub MEDwind turbines and health via Pub MED

    Wind Turbines and healthWind Turbines and health:: ross sec ona s u es o peop e v ng nross sec ona s u es o peop e v ng n

    vicinity of wind turbines in the Netherlandsvicinity of wind turbines in the Netherlands

    an we en.an we en.

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    ,,

    ,,

    adults) living within 2.5 kM of a windadults) living within 2.5 kM of a wind

    Sound level measurements availableSound level measurements availableuest onna re comp eteuest onna re comp ete

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    ,,Sound level; 30-35 35-40 40-45 >45

    dB(A)

    Number

    of people

    213 159 93 65

    Ver anno ed 1 0.5% 4 2.5% 10 11% 2 3%

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    ,,

    reported annoyance from wind turbinereported annoyance from wind turbine

    noise and shunting yardsnoise and shunting yards

    -- --

    link between attitude towards windlink between attitude towards wind

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    ,,

    people inpeople in SwedenSweden

    1.1. QuestionnaireQuestionnaire2.2. Sound measurement calculationsSound measurement calculations

    3.3. Distances: 605Distances: 605--1014 meters between1014 meters between

    homes and turbineshomes and turbines

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    ,,ResultsResults

    @ 35@ 35--37 db < 5% very annoyed37 db < 5% very annoyed@ > 40 dB, ~ 15% very annoyed@ > 40 dB, ~ 15% very annoyed

    trongest assoc at ons reporte :trongest assoc at ons reporte :

    Odds ratio (OR) 13. 4 (95% CI: 6Odds ratio (OR) 13. 4 (95% CI: 6--30) based on30) based on

    OR 14.4 (95% CI: 6OR 14.4 (95% CI: 6--32) attitude RE: Visual impact32) attitude RE: Visual impactof turbinesof turbines

    us, t ose w o a un avora e att tu eus, t ose w o a un avora e att tu etowards WT were over 13 times more likely totowards WT were over 13 times more likely tobe anno ed .be anno ed .

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    ,,

    Wind turbines: 600Wind turbines: 600--660 kW660 kW

    requency ana ys srequency ana ys s: z < e ow: z < e ow

    frequency sound) sound levels rangedfrequency sound) sound levels rangedrom t e m s to m s w t arom t e m s to m s w t a

    spike of 48 dB at ~ 26 Hz.spike of 48 dB at ~ 26 Hz.

    Distances from homes to wind turbines:Distances from homes to wind turbines:150150--1199 meters1199 meters

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    ,,

    -- . .

    range, at a distance of 550range, at a distance of 550--599 meters,599 meters,

    Attitude towards wind turbines was theAttitude towards wind turbines was the

    annoyanceannoyance

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    Summary of wind turbineSummary of wind turbine

    environmental studiesenvironmental studiesBased on the similarity of results of the studies of residentsBased on the similarity of results of the studies of residents

    in the vicinity of wind turbines in Sweden and thein the vicinity of wind turbines in Sweden and theNetherlands, a number of conclusions can be drawn:Netherlands, a number of conclusions can be drawn:

    by the sound from wind turbines at levels < 35 dBby the sound from wind turbines at levels < 35 dB

    As the noise levels increase, more people report beingAs the noise levels increase, more people report being

    The perception of "annoyance" from the sound of windThe perception of "annoyance" from the sound of windturbines is strongly related to attitudes toward windturbines is strongly related to attitudes toward wind

    ur nes. e peop e w o are mos e y o e annoyeur nes. e peop e w o are mos e y o e annoyeare those who do not like wind turbinesare those who do not like wind turbines

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    and health effectsand health effects

    massage at 70 dBmassage at 70 dB

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    Danish Stud 2008Danish Stud 2008

    Wind turbines do not emit audible infra sound.Wind turbines do not emit audible infra sound.Other noise sources, such as road traffic, emitOther noise sources, such as road traffic, emit

    low frequencies of higher levels.low frequencies of higher levels.

    There is an approximate 5There is an approximate 5--15 dB (A) attenuation15 dB (A) attenuation

    windows shut.windows shut.

    The percentage of people annoyed by windThe percentage of people annoyed by wind

    turbine noise at < 40dB (A) is about 5%.turbine noise at < 40dB (A) is about 5%.

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    British Study 2006British Study 2006

    Low frequency noise associated withLow frequency noise associated with road trafficroad traffic waswasgreater than sound from neighboring wind farmsgreater than sound from neighboring wind farms

    be injurious to the health of a wind farm neighborbe injurious to the health of a wind farm neighbor

    Measurements of infrasound of modern wind farms atMeasurements of infrasound of modern wind farms ats ances os ances o me ers were e ween anme ers were e ween an

    below perception thresholds.below perception thresholds.

    The authors also referred to a World Health OrganizationThe authors also referred to a World Health Organization

    report that stated:report that stated: "There is no reliable evidence that"There is no reliable evidence thatinfra sounds below the hearing threshold produceinfra sounds below the hearing threshold producephysiological or psychological effects.physiological or psychological effects.

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    British Stud 2006British Stud 2006 ContdContd

    The common cause of complaint was notThe common cause of complaint was notassociated with low frequency noise but withassociated with low frequency noise but withoccas ona au e mo u at on o aero ynam coccas ona au e mo u at on o aero ynam cnoise, mostly at night.noise, mostly at night.

    ,,reported low frequency noise problems.reported low frequency noise problems.Therefore such complaints are the exceptionTherefore such complaints are the exception

    rather than a general problem for wind farms.rather than a general problem for wind farms.(Hayes McKenzie, 2006).(Hayes McKenzie, 2006).

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    USA Study 2010USA Study 2010

    15 wind turbines15 wind turbines

    The resultsThe results indicated:indicated:

    people 305 meters (1,000 feet) from tpeople 305 meters (1,000 feet) from the wind turbines.he wind turbines.Low frequency sound above 40 Hz may be audibleLow frequency sound above 40 Hz may be audible

    depending on background sound levelsdepending on background sound levelsAt maximum noise at a distance more than 305 metersAt maximum noise at a distance more than 305 meters(1,000 feet) from the nearest residence,(1,000 feet) from the nearest residence, wind turbineswind turbinesdo not pose a low frequency noise or infrasounddo not pose a low frequency noise or infrasound

    pro empro em. s s ance e w n arms me. s s ance e w n arms meS12.2 indoor levels for low frequency sound forS12.2 indoor levels for low frequency sound forbedrooms, classrooms and hospitals ding onbedrooms, classrooms and hospitals ding on

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    Health related effects of livin in the vicinit ofHealth related effects of livin in the vicinit of

    wind turbines and corresponding exposure towind turbines and corresponding exposure tolow frequency sound have been evaluated in thelow frequency sound have been evaluated in the, ., .

    No link between noise levels and risk ofNo link between noise levels and risk of, ,, ,

    cardiovascular disease was noted. To thecardiovascular disease was noted. To thecontrary, the illnesses assessed were morecontrary, the illnesses assessed were more

    common a e ower soun eve s an ecommon a e ower soun eve s an ehigher sound levels which indicated no linkhigher sound levels which indicated no linkbetween noise and the illnesses assessedbetween noise and the illnesses assessed

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    In A ollo s ace ro ram ex eriments, sub ectsIn A ollo s ace ro ram ex eriments, sub ectswere exposed to between 120 and 140 dB ofwere exposed to between 120 and 140 dB ofLFN without harmful effects.LFN without harmful effects.

    --. .. .hour exposures to 120 to 130 dB are tolerablehour exposures to 120 to 130 dB are tolerable

    below 20 Hz, the upper limit of infrasound.below 20 Hz, the upper limit of infrasound.o ern w n ur nes pro uce soun a so ern w n ur nes pro uce soun a sassessed as infrasound at typical levels of 50 toassessed as infrasound at typical levels of 50 to70 dB, below the hearing threshold at those70 dB, below the hearing threshold at those

    requenc es a o sen, , w o conc u erequenc es a o sen, , w o conc u ethat infrasound from wind turbines does notthat infrasound from wind turbines does notresent a health concern.resent a health concern.

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    Heart tones: 1Heart tones: 1--2 Hz2 Hz

    Lung sounds: 5Lung sounds: 5--35 dB at 15035 dB at 150--600 Hz600 HzA few meters from the device, windmill noiseA few meters from the device, windmill noise

    inaudible. This infrasound has no effect oninaudible. This infrasound has no effect on

    human health. Fears regarding windmillhuman health. Fears regarding windmill--n uce n ra soun are us groun ess.n uce n ra soun are us groun ess.Infrasound production by windmills has beenInfrasound production by windmills has beenwell studied and the levels are without risk towell studied and the levels are without risk to

    umans.umans.French National Academy of Medicine, 2006French National Academy of Medicine, 2006

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    that an audible low frequency sound doesthat an audible low frequency sound does

    is 10 to 15 dB above hearing thresholdis 10 to 15 dB above hearing threshold

    ., , .., , .

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    H othesisH othesis: low fre uenc sound and: low fre uenc sound andcorresponding vibration adversely affects healthcorresponding vibration adversely affects health

    As of 5/2/10 not published in peer reviewedAs of 5/2/10 not published in peer reviewed

    not a recognized diagnosis in the medicalnot a recognized diagnosis in the medical

    community.community.no unique symptoms or combination thereof thatno unique symptoms or combination thereof thatwould lead to a specific disease.would lead to a specific disease.

    exposure to wind turbines are likely associatedexposure to wind turbines are likely associatedwith annoyancewith annoyance

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    --

    cause a high enough excitation within the bodycause a high enough excitation within the bodyto exceed the internal body soundsto exceed the internal body sounds

    The similarity between symptoms ofThe similarity between symptoms of noisenoise

    annoyanceannoyance and those of the "Wind Turbineand those of the "Wind TurbineSyndrome" indicates that this "diagnosis" is notSyndrome" indicates that this "diagnosis" is not

    a pathophysiological effect, but an example ofa pathophysiological effect, but an example of

    --noisenoise--virtually any typevirtually any type-- displayed by a smalldisplayed by a small

    ..

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    Wind Turbine S ndromeWind Turbine S ndrome a ears based on twoa ears based on two

    hypotheseshypothesesLow levels of airborne infrasound from WindLow levels of airborne infrasound from Windur nes, atur nes, at z, rect y a ect t ez, rect y a ect t e

    vestibular system, andvestibular system, and

    Turbines at 4Turbines at 4--8Hz enter the lungs via the mouth8Hz enter the lungs via the mouthand then vibrate the diaphragm, which transmitsand then vibrate the diaphragm, which transmits

    vibration to the viscera. (Internal organs of thevibration to the viscera. (Internal organs of thebody)body)

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    vibroacoustic diseasevibroacoustic disease: Interpreting: Interpreting

    scientific literaturescientific literature

    hypothetical relationships to wind turbinehypothetical relationships to wind turbine

    (VAD), we have only the weakest type of(VAD), we have only the weakest type of

    ,,investigator. These reports can suggestinvestigator. These reports can suggest

    not demonstrate causal connectionsnot demonstrate causal connections

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    term "vibroacaoustic disease" indicatedterm "vibroacaoustic disease" indicated,,

    originated with the same Portugueseoriginated with the same Portuguese

    ..rest of the academic world does notrest of the academic world does not

    --

    acoustic disease concept introduced byacoustic disease concept introduced by

    . .

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    hypothetical relationships to wind turbinehypothetical relationships to wind turbine -- ,,

    casecase--control, cohort or longitudinal studiescontrol, cohort or longitudinal studies

    . ,. ,weakest type of scientific evidenceweakest type of scientific evidencecasecase

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    1. Noise from wind turbines does not pose a risk of1. Noise from wind turbines does not pose a risk ofear ng oss or any o er rec a verse ea e ec .ear ng oss or any o er rec a verse ea e ec .

    2. Some people may become annoyed from the sound2. Some people may become annoyed from the soundfrom wind turbines but this is not a disease.from wind turbines but this is not a disease.

    3. The major cause of concern from wind turbine noise is3. The major cause of concern from wind turbine noise isthe fluctuating nature of noise. Some find this noisethe fluctuating nature of noise. Some find this noise

    annoying, a reaction that depends primarily on personalannoying, a reaction that depends primarily on personal

    level.level.

    4. Sub audible low frequency noise and infra sound from4. Sub audible low frequency noise and infra sound from. .

    5. Wind Turbine Syndrome is neither a new disease or5. Wind Turbine Syndrome is neither a new disease oraccepted medical diagnosis. Symptoms reflect noiseaccepted medical diagnosis. Symptoms reflect noise

    ..