Events > 2010 > First International Symposium on Wind Turbines and Adverse Health Effects - October 29-31, 2010
For Immediate Release
Picton, Ontario, November 16, 2010 – High levels of low frequency noise (LFN) are produced and can be measured at wind turbine developments according to Richard James INCE, acoustics specialist from Michigan.
At the First International Symposium on Adverse Health Effects and Industrial Wind Turbines (October 29-31, 2010) Mr. James demonstrated the presence of LFN recorded from industrial wind turbines that have been located too close to homes in rural Ontario.
Although the wind industry does not acknowledge that industrial wind turbines generate LFN that affects humans, the National Research Council in 2007 stated: “Wind turbines generate a broad spectrum of noise including low frequency noise…which may be audible or inaudible”. In addition in 1999 The World Health Organization stated: “It is widely affirmed that exposure to audible low frequency noise can cause adverse health effects in humans”.
Therefore the question today is why did the Canadian Wind Energy Association request Ontario's Minister of Environment to exclude the measurement of Low Frequency Noise at wind development sites? Comments submitted to the Ministry of Environment by Robert Hornung, President of the industrial lobby group the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) stated: “…CanWEA submits that the proposed requirement for infrasound or low frequency noise monitoring as a condition of the REA [Renewable Energy Approval] be removed.”
While low frequency noise is typically not heard, Dr. Alec Salt, PhD of Washington University in St Louis reported at the Symposium in Picton, Ontario that low frequency sounds that cannot be heard can indeed affect the ear and cause unpleasant symptoms. In fact industrial wind turbines appear to be affecting people around the world. Identical symptoms such as sleep deprivation, migraines, nosebleeds, vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, cardiac arrhythmia and high blood pressure are now reported globally by those in close proximity to wind developments.
In a news release today from Australia, Dr. Sarah Laurie, Medical Director of The Waubra Foundation states: “I have now interviewed over 40 people in rural Australia who have been affected by wind turbines, with the same symptoms.”
What happens to a home located too close to industrial wind turbines, according to Richard James, is virtually the same as sick building syndrome, which was well documented in the 1980's. According to Air & Waste Management Association in a 2008 article on Sick Building Syndrome 2008, “Very low frequency sounds can also cause vibrations that fall in the range of inaudible infrasound—under 20 hertz (Hz). The vibration resonates through building materials, typically causing headaches and dizziness.” LFN from industrial wind turbines penetrates buildings such as homes as well as barns where livestock stay. It permeates the structure with low frequency resonances that are felt though not necessarily heard and can only be measured with the correct equipment.
In Ontario the current minimum distance for wind turbines from homes in quiet rural areas is 550 metres. This distance is based on entirely computer generated noise modelling which is published by wind turbine manufacturers. According to Dr. Salt, that 550m distance legislated to protect health is “absolutely insane”.
Another physician who attended the symposium, Dr. Noel Kerin, Director and Corporate Secretary, Occupational and Environmental Medical Association of Canada (OEMAC) is shocked by these findings. “First we had tobacco, then asbestos, and urea formaldehyde, and now wind turbines. Don't we ever learn? Our public health system should be screaming the precautionary principle. The very people who are sworn to protect us have abandoned the public.
Proceedings from the International Symposium on Adverse Health Effects and Industrial Wind Turbines can be found at www.windvigilance.com
Beth Harrington
Communications
647 588-8647
By Lorrie Gillis
The first international symposium on The Global Wind Industry and Adverse Health Effects put on by The Society For Wind Vigilance was solid and powerful.
Dr. Robert McMurtry, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C), F.A.C.S., was moderator for the event and did a wonderful job of keeping everything moving along. There was time for questions and comments set aside after speakers.
On Friday evening, we heard Orville Walsh speak to different setback distances.
John Harrison, Ph.D., reviewed deficiencies in regulations and limitations in noise modeling.
Rick James pointed out that what we knew in the 1980's was forgotten in the 1990's and it set the stage for a wind turbine boom in the 2000's.
On Saturday morning, Nina Pierpont, M.D., Ph.D., keynote speaker, spoke to navigating the surreal landscape of massive and systematic denial, cover-up and apathy to the suffering of many near wind turbines and to her work on Wind Turbine Syndrome. The Society for Wind Vigilance recognized Dr. Pierpont as the pioneer in raising the issue of adverse health effects from industrial wind turbines. She received a standing ovation!
Alec Salt, Ph.D. Cochlear Physiology, M.Sc.,B.Sc, Biology, demonstrated that the ear is far more complex than a microphone and that it actively amplifies high frequency sounds as it cancels out infrasonic sounds.
Arline Bronzaft, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., shared her knowledge on the effects of intrusive noise on child development and learning.
Dr. Christopher Hanning, B.Sc., MB, BS, MRCS, LRCP, FRCA, MD, (also known as the alphabet doctor) told us that the most common complaint of those exposed to industrial wind turbine noise is sleep disturbance. Many of the other symptoms, fatigue, headache, nausea, memory problems and tiredness are probably secondary to sleep disturbance. He says there is now a large body of evidence proving beyond any reasonable doubt that sleep is disturbed and health impaired by wind turbines at distances up to 2km, at noise levels claimed to be safe by the industry.
During a working luncheon, Robert Bryce explained that the growth of the wind industry came about because of the industry's ability to portray itself as "green". He told us that the growth will be difficult to sustain because the industry has overstated its ability to deliver meaningful savings on carbon dioxide emissions, it faces a growing backlash from affected landowners and from ratepayers who are learning about the high cost of "green" energy.
After lunch, Michael A. Nissenbaum, MD, discussed his findings on the world's first controlled study of adverse health effects related to industrial wind turbines. He reports that adverse effects are real and significant. Since the pilot study was completed, a larger, more detailed and standardized controlled study has been undertaken at Mars Hill and Vinalhavne, Maine, utilizing validated questionnaires.
Carl V. Phillips, Ph.D., sent his presentation for us to hear in his absence. He is awaiting the arrival of a new son/daughter at any minute and was unable to travel to the symposium in person. He says the claim that there is no evidence of negative health effects from wind turbines near residences is clearly false since there are ample credible reports of people experiencing problems. He is working on developing a research tool for collecting case-crossover data for use by any community.
Carmen Krogh, B.SC. Pharmacy, spoke to the consequences of the violation of social justice for families worldwide who are affected by turbines. She states that those experiencing symptoms also feel victimized by the very systems that would normally protect them. In some cases, Ontario families have abandoned their homes to protect their health.
Eric K. Gillespie, LLB, spoke to legal challenges and opportunities that are being pursued, strategies that include private litigation brought by individuals, public interest litigation raising broader issues, by-laws, resolutions and other steps taken by local government and administrative hearings outside of the court system.
On Sunday morning, the room was full again to listen to Ross McKitrick, Ph.D., ask if coal kills, where are the bodies? He explained the nature of the coal plants currently operating in Ontario and air pollution trends. He was able to show that the claims that current air pollution levels result in thousands of cases of illness and death are not supported in up-to-date, peer-reviewed literature.
Dale Goldhawk, broadcaster, told us that everyone thought dump site 41 was a done deal, that nothing could be done to stop it. He says there are no done deals with projects that are counter to the best interests of people - and that includes wind turbines! He wants us to remember the words of Gandhi: First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
Mr. Goldhawk will be speaking to industrial wind turbines all this week on his show, Nov. 1st to Nov. 8th and he would love to hear from you! Shows start at 11:00a.m. each day on 740am radio or zoomerradio.ca
Call in at 1-866-740-4740 or 1-416-360-0740 or email to fightback@goldhawk.com
Dr. McMurtry eloquently summarized the weekend for us and thanked our speakers, all traveled to the symposium at their own expense, for sharing their knowledge with us. It was uplifting to see the caring and concern in the room. There was an award and a standing ovation for all of the speakers!
There were hundreds of messages of support from around the world for the first international symposium on the global wind industry and adverse health effects! There will be a comprehensive list posted on www.windvigilance.com when the team catches their breath again. Messages came from New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Germany, EPAW, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Untited Kingdom, United States, Belgium, Crete, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and Poland.
From all around the globe, people spoke of correcting an unethical wrong and of their gratitude to the Society for arranging this powerful weekend of speakers.
We all left feeling encouraged, empowered and validated in our continued effort to raise awareness of this issue.
Thank you!
Download the Symposium program
THE SOCIETY FOR WIND VIGILANCE is pleased to announce the first International Symposium on adverse health effects and wind turbines entitled THE GLOBAL WIND INDUSTRY AND ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS: Loss of Social Justice?
This groundbreaking two day event will take place at the Waring House Inn and Conference Center on October 29-31, 2010 in Picton, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.
Keynote speaker is Dr. Nina Pierpont, M.D., PhD. (U.S.A.).
The extraordinary gathering of expert speakers from the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada will address these subjects:
The Society for Wind Vigilance is an international federation of physicians, engineers and other professionals promoting independent, human health studies on adverse health effects of wind turbines.
Details and registration form available at:
www.windvigilance.com/2010_symposium_details.aspx
Space is limited.