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Cited by 76Noise Effects and ManagementWind Energy Research and DevelopmentSocial Acceptance of Renewable Energy

Wind Turbines and Human Health

Open access
Knopper, Loren D., Ollson, Christopher A., McCallum, Lindsay C., Whitfield Aslund, Melissa L., Berger, Robert G., Souweine, Kathleen, McDaniel, Mary·2014·Frontiers in Public Health
DOI 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00063PMC PMC4063257
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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.

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  • Adequate medical care and early intervention can reduce the fatality rate of severe dengue to less than 1%.

    “However, adequate medical care and early intervention can reduce the fatality rate to less than 1%.222”

    From The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: facing record-breaking threats from delayed action (2024) · cites this paper as [222]

    The Weight of Evidence Conclusions discuss wind power and health, not dengue. Searches for severe dengue, a fatality rate below 1%, and early medical intervention found no relevant passage in our copy of the cited paper. (LLM, conf=0.78)

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  1. [2]Upham P Whitmarsh L Poortinga W Purdam K Darnton A McLachlan C Public Attitudes to Environmental Change: A Selective Review of Theory and Practice. Swindon, UK: Economic and Social Research Council/Living with Environmental Change Programme (2009).
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  3. [68]Haugen KMB International Review of Policies and Recommendations for Wind Turbine Setbacks from Residences: Setbacks, Noise, Shadow Flicker, and Other Concerns. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Commerce (2011). p. 1– 43
  4. [77]National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia. Wind Turbines and Health: A Rapid Review of the Evidence. Canberra, ACT: Commonwealth of Australia (2010). p. 1– 11
  5. [84]Grimwood CJ Skinner GJ Raw GJ The UK national noise attitude survey 1999/2000. Proceedings of the Noise Forum Conference; 2002 May 20; London: CIEH (2002).
  6. [88]Job RFS The role of psychological factors in community reaction to noise. In: Vallet M editor. Noise as a Public Health Problem. (Vol. 3), Arcueil Cedex: INRETS (1993). p. 47– 79

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Authors
Knopper, L. D., Ollson, C. A., McCallum, L. C., Whitfield Aslund, M. L., Berger, R. G., Souweine, K., & McDaniel, M.
Affiliations
Intrinsik (Canada) (CA)
Corresponding author
Knopper, Loren D.
ORCID
McCallum, Lindsay C.
Venue
Frontiers in Public Health
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2014-06-19
Volume
2
Pages
63-63
ISSN
2296-2565 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2014.00063
PMC
PMC4063257
OpenAlex
W1993878667
Cited by
76
References
93
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 2
FWCI
1.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › Noise Effects and Management
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Wind Energy Research and Development
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy
Keywords
wind turbines, human health effects, electromagnetic fields, shadow flicker, low-frequency noise, infrasound, acoustic noise, annoyance, sleep disorders, nocebo effect, noise exposure limits

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