Wind Energy Development Generates Health Concerns

Wind turbines are becoming quite popular across the world and wind energy is emerging as one of the most efficient renewable energy sources that is eco-friendly. While governments encourage industrial entities to use wind energy, it is generating health concerns among persons who live or work close by to industrial wind turbines. In this latest study, researchers examine the effects of wind farms within communities in Ontario, Canada.

"There has been debate over whether reported negative health outcomes in nearby residents are valid. Regardless of whether or not people are sick from wind turbine noise or from social factors they deserve to be acknowledged if renewables are going to become a key part of our future energy mix," Tanya Christidis, coauthor of the study, said in a news release.

The researchers examined the development and infrastructure of wind farms, which merely involves members of communities along with the distribution of financial benefits. In addition, they also found that communities were concerned about the effects of wind farms on surrounding landscapes. Health effects were one of the main concerns in regards to wind energy development.

Previous studies have indicated that persons suffer adverse health effects from exposures to Industrial Wind Turbines. Persons living or working in close proximity to IWT have reported symptoms, which includes sleep disturbance, headache, stress, anxiety, depression and cognitive dysfunction.

The study recommended that wind energy production should increase transparency and compensation distribution for everyone in a community. The researchers also urged for better consideration on the impact on landscapes, with wind energy production.

The findings of this study were published in Nature Energy.

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