Is it safe to live near wind turbines? Reviewing the impacts of wind turbine noise
2022
Karasmanaki, Evangelia
Wind turbines (WT) can produce large amounts of energy and thus help economies make an important step towards a sustainable energy future. However, residents living near wind farms ascribe to wind turbine noise (WTN) a multitude of adverse health impacts and use them as an argument against wind farms. This paper reviews the relevant literature on the effects of wind turbine noise in order to help address the controversy that surrounds the safety of wind turbines and, in this way, to enhance community acceptance of wind farms. The objectives are to compare the findings of quantitative, experimental and longitudinal research on these effects and to detect whether findings are consistent. The analysis showed that while quantitative research recorded adverse health effects, experimental and longitudinal research provided no supporting evidence. However, findings from these different research types were consistent in indicating a risk for sleep posed by WTN. In addition, quantitative and experimental research converges that annoyance to WTN is affected by the visual impact of wind turbines on the landscape as well as attitudes to wind energy in general. Moreover, experimental work has shown that exposure to information on the Internet that accentuates negative health effects due to WTN can account for residents' complaints about adverse health effects. Finally, it is necessary to perform more longitudinal research on the health of residents in relation to WTN as well as more quantitative research on quality of life of individuals residing near wind farms.
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