Wind Turbine Noise and Potential Health Effects: A Rapid Review
Executive Summary
Over the last five years, wind as a source of energy has proliferated in Ontario, largely as a result of policy changes instituted by the provincial government. Modern, commercial wind turbines are large, can be located in residential areas, and make noise during their regular day-to-day operation. Their placement near homes in Ontario must abide by the noise setback limits specified by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) to prevent adverse health problems. This is generally 550 metres (m) or more, depending on the characteristics of the wind facility.
Growth in the wind energy sector has led to public worry over the siting of new wind facilities. Often cited health concerns from wind turbine noise include headaches, migraines, stress, tinnitus, vertigo, and sleep disturbance, but the scientific evidence supporting these claims is weak. The catchment area of Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health includes one large wind facility, and two smaller projects slated for future development; thus, public concern over potential or perceived health issues related to wind turbines, and their noise in particular, has been and will continue to be a salient issue for KFL&A Public Health.
A scoping review to synthesize the evidence on the potential health impact of wind turbine noise was conducted by KFL&A Public Health in 2011. The aim of the present document is to provide a rapid update to this review using systematic search methods. Readers should note, however, that this is not a systematic review per se.
The scientific and grey literature were searched in November 2015. Three scientific reviews, eight reviews by or for scientific/health authorities, and one recent primary study were included. Primary studies in this body of research are generally methodologically weak, consisting largely of cross-sectional or case studies.
Given the overall body of evidence to date, noise from wind turbines located in close proximity to residences may lead to annoyance in some people. It is unclear if sleep may be negatively impacted, and the evidence does not suggest that there are other adverse health outcomes. However, it is unclear how this overall evidence-base is generalizable to Ontario under the current noise setback requirements, since most studies have been conducted in Europe. Other factors such as receiving financial benefit; individual perceptions of wind turbines, the land, and sense of community; and decreased community engagement and control may impact level of annoyance. These could be further explored, both in research studies and from a policy perspective.
The overall evidence-base can be further strengthened through the conduct of multiple studies that use both objective and subjective health outcome measures, measure sound directly, measure exposures and outcomes pre and post wind turbine installation, and consider vulnerable populations, such as children.
Public health will continue to contribute to public debates on wind turbine noise with up-to-date evidence-based health information when appropriate, and will continue to work with the MOECC to monitor compliance with noise requirements in the community.