Health impact of wind farms
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2013, Vol 20, Issue 3
Abstract
[b]Introduction and objective:[/b] Wind power is employed worldwide as an alternative source of energy. At the same time, however, the health effects of wind turbines have become a matter of discussion. The purpose of this study is a critical review of available reports providing arguments both for and against the construction of wind farms. The authors also attempt to propose recommendations in accordance with the Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) guidelines. In the case of exposure to wind farms, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is impossible. To obtain the highest-level recommendations, analysis of case-control studies or cohort studies with control groups should be performed. Preferably, it should include geostatistical analysis conducted with the use of variograms and the kriging technique. Combinations of key words were entered into the Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge [sup]SM[/sup] and the Internet search engine Google. [b]Short description of state of the art:[/b] The nuisance caused by wind turbines is stereotypically linked with the noise that they produce. Nevertheless, the visual aspect of wind farms, opinions about them, and sensitivity to sound seem to be of the greater importance. To date, the direct correlations between the vicinity of modern wind farms, the noise that wind turbines make, and possible consequences to health have not been described in peer reviewed articles. Health effects are more probably associated with some environmental factors leading to annoyance or frustration. All types of studies share the same conclusion: wind turbines can provoke annoyance. As with any project involving changes in the local environment, a certain level of irritation among the population can be expected. There are elected officials and government representatives who should decide what level of social annoyance is acceptable, and whether wind power advantages outweigh its potential drawbacks. The influence of wind turbines on human emotional and physical health is a relatively new field of research. Further analyses of these issues are justified, especially because none of the studies published in peer-reviewed journals so far meet the criteria for cohort or case-control studies. [b]Summary:[/b] Due to methodology, currently available research results do not allow for higher than C-level recommendations. In the case of wind farms, the ideal types of research would be: a retrospective observation of a particular group of residents before and after the wind farm construction, case-control studies or cohort studies with control groups matched in respect of socioeconomic factors, predisposition for chronic diseases, exposure to environmental risk factors, and only one variable which would differentiate cases from controls – the distance between place of residence and a wind farm.
Authors and Affiliations
Donata Kurpas, Bozena Mroczek , Beata Karakiewicz , Krzysztof Kassolik , Waldemar Andrzejewski
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP80672
- DOI -
- Views 127
- Downloads 0
Perception and degree of acceptance of menopause-related changes in various spheres of life by postmenopausal women
[b]Objective[/b]. The objective of the study was retrospective analysis of self-reported perception and acceptance of changes related to menopause among women 1–10 years after the occurrence of their last menstrual perio...
Contamination of soil with eggs of geohelminths in recreational areas in the Lublin region of Poland
Recreational areas cover parks, bicycle paths, lawns, urban squares, sports complexes, holiday camp areas, playgrounds for children, beaches, and even spontaneously used green field open spaces. While using recreational...
Pharmacological treatment and regional anesthesia techniques for pain management after completion of both conservative and surgical treatment of endometriosis and pelvic adhesions in women with chronic pelvic pain as a mandated treatment strategy
Introduction. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome occurs in 4–14% of women. Pain pathomechanism in this syndrome is complex, as it is common to observe the features of nociceptive, inflammatory, neuropathic and psychogenic pain...
Impact of beliefs about pain control on perceptions of illness in surgical patients
[b][/b][b]Objectives.[/b] Adequacy of pain management in surgical patients is a major contributor to overall treatment outcomes and positive illness perceptions. However, it may be subjectively predetermined by a patient...
Managing water safety in healthcare. Part 2 – Practical measures and considerations taken for waterborne pathogen control
These summaries form the second part of presentations made at a recent conference held at the Royal Society for Public Health in London, 16-17 May 2012, on the latest developments in combating waterborne hospital-acquire...