Wind Farms for Cattaraugus County,
Are the Health Ramifications Worth It?
(1/9/2009) By Lois Ann Zendarski

In certain circles Wind Farms are the panacea for replacing fossil fuels, members of the IDA (Industrial Development Agency) in Cattaraugus County appear to be no exception. It was not that long ago that Bio Mass plants had the full support of many politicians and government agencies, and while both forms of generating energy have some merit, short and long term health effects on people living in the areas have not been fully addressed. All forms of current and proposed means of generating power carry a negative, obviously some more harmful than others.

It should be mentioned why people are opposed to some alternatives to fossil fuels, instead of focusing solely on feel good effects. As a prime example, it is a well known fact that jobs are not plentiful with wind farms, they do not produce much energy and the health issues are far reaching. Locally, wind turbines slated for the Chipmonk area, near Rock City Park have their own set of unique problems.

It is typically thought that the low frequency acoustical noise associated with wind turbines does not affect the human body because it does not cause hearing impairment. However, scientific data has shown that noise exposure does affect the body even if there isn’t a definite hearing loss.

Hypertension- (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, chronic sleep disturbances and problems associated with sleep loss go hand in hand with the noise of wind turbines.

It is said that wind turbine noise can be likened to a car passing by. Cars pass by, but the turbine runs for hours, sometimes days without interruption or cessation. The decibel level of the noise and annoyance of these machines is similar to the bass of a car radio turned up. One cannot hear the actual music, but low frequency pulses grate on the nerves of those nearby.

Breaking down the acoustical events, biological concerns are raised not only when the decibel rate goes over a specified rate. Noise annoyance causes distress. According to the European Commission’s Noise Team, annoyance is the scientific expression for the non-specific disturbance by noise, as reported by those who answered a survey. Nearly every person who reports being annoyed by noise in and around the home will also experience one or more of the following: reduced enjoyment of balcony or garden, interference with sleep, communication, reading, watching television, listening to music and radio and will have to close bedroom windows in order to sleep and avoid sleep disturbance. Some persons who are annoyed by noise will also experience sleep disturbance when windows and doors are closed, interference with communication and other indoor activities, mental health effects, noise induced hearing impairment, hypertension and ischemic heart disease.*
Low frequency noise comes from a variety of different sources, in occupational settings and even in recreational activities. For example, commercial airline pilots are one group with the highest risk of developing infrasound or low frequency noise induced pathologies.

Structural damage resulting from the vibration of solid materials can also occur and their integrity is compromised. However, when biological material is exposed to vibration, as in human and animal tissues, the organism reacts by producing collagen--a protein that gives the tissue more mechanical strength to resist collapse. What are the long term effects of this occurrence—the unnatural production of excess collagen?

The formation of plaque in blood vessels occurs, thickening the walls, restricting blood flow and causing ischemia. Cardiac bypass surgery is recommended for those who have these symptoms.

The complexity of symptoms that results from chronic exposure to wind turbines noise is called “vibroacoustic disease.” Vibroacoustic disease is becoming more widely known and can be readily diagnosed through echocardiography or bronchoscopic exams. Late onset epilepsy, nose bleeds, tachycardia, muscular and joint pain with no imaging corroboration despite sustained patient complaints are common in VAD patients, as well as respiratory complaints.

A study of populations exposed to chronic low frequency noise included people living with turbines installed around their family’s home. One such operation began in 2006. By March of the following year, parents received a note from school asking why their child was experiencing a marked decline in attention and memory skills as well as problems with profound tiredness during physical education classes. The school inquired as to the child’s sleeping habits. Studies found that the cause of the family’s increasing health problems were a direct result of noise from wind turbines installed approximately 1000 and 2000 feet from their home.

The strobe lights atop turbine towers as well as shadow flicker can cause an increase of seizure activity in areas where wind turbines are located. Noise, strobing effects and shadow flicker cannot be mitigated as some wind farm companies are saying.

The stratification effect is characteristic of the Chipmonk area of Cattaraugus County. Wind is blowing at the height of the turbines but not down below, where people live. This effect is particularly common at night when the ambient noise is down, therefore creating an even greater chance of sleep deprivation. At night, the noise is even more disturbing.

For those who feel that wind turbines are our answer to the problem of foreign oil reliance, Germany, the world’s leader in wind farms has yet to shut down one coal fired plant. It appears that wind energy is not the answer to eliminating the use of fossil fuels.

Groups such as The Concerned Citizens of Cattaraugus County work to protect the health of residents within the county. Using scientific data to educate the public, it is the hope of the group to forewarn people of the detrimental effects of industrial wind turbines. For more information on industrial wind farms, go to www.concernedcitizens.homestead.com