Oxford County

In Canadian research on the effects of wind turbine noise onhuman health, several studies have found no direct link betweenwind turbine noise and physical health problems. A review of scientific literature on wind turbine sound and humanhealth conducted by Canadian researchers Drs. Loren D. Knopperand Christopher A. Ollson found no direct causal link between people living near wind turbines and physiological health effects.The review, which appeared in the Journal of Environmental Health, suggested that reported health effects are likely attributed to environmental stressors rather than specific turbine-relatedfactors like audible noise or infrasound. Another significant study by Health Canada and Statistics Canada involved more than 1,200 adults living near wind turbines in Ontario and Prince Edward Island. This study, which was launchedin response to concerns about wind turbines causing illness,concluded that there was no definitive connection between windturbine noise and a range of chronic health problems. The studydid find a relationship between increasing levels of wind turbinenoise and annoyance towards various features of wind turbines,including noise, vibration, shadow flicker, and aircraft warninglights. However, no evidence was found linking wind turbine noiseto self-reported or measured health issues such as sleepdisturbance, dizziness, migraine headaches, chronic problems likeheart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, or stress indicatorslike hair cortisol levels. These findings indicate that while wind turbine noise can be asource of annoyance for some people, it does not directly causehealth problems. The annoyance experienced by individuals maybe influenced by factors other than noise, such as visual impact orpersonal benefit from the turbines.

Yes, there are wind turbines located near settlements in Holland.As part of the country’s efforts to increase renewable energycapacity, the Netherlands has been actively installing onshore windturbines. By the end of 2015, there were at least 2,525 onshorewind turbines in the Netherlands, contributing to around 5% of thecountry’s total energy requirement. The Dutch government set atarget to achieve an onshore wind capacity of 6,000 MW by 2020,under the Energy Agreement for Sustainable Growth. This targetrequired the addition of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 new onshorewind turbines. Moreover, the Dutch government’s climate plans aim for at least 27% of energy to come from sustainable sources by 2030, withwind energy playing a significant role in achieving this goal. TheNetherlands has taken measures to generate energy using onshorewind turbines as a reliable and efficient sustainable energy source.The construction of these wind farms often involves cooperationwith local building contractors, and residents can share in theproceeds, reflecting a community-based approach to renewableenergy development. One notable example is the wind farm in Zeewolde, near Amsterdam, where local residents and farmers have becomeshareholders in the project. This approach has helped to overcomeresistance from local residents often hesitant about living next towind turbines due to concerns about noise and visual impact. Inthis project, more than 90% of the people in the project areabecame shareholders, demonstrating a successful model ofcommunity involvement in renewable energy projects. These initiatives illustrate the Netherlands’ commitment to renewable energy and the integration of wind turbines into bothrural and residential areas, balancing the need for sustainableenergy with community involvement and acceptance.

In the Netherlands, the setback rules for wind turbines are notstrictly defined by a single standard distance. Instead, they aretypically determined based on a maximum noise level of 40dB(A). In practice, a common guideline is to use a distance ofabout 4 times the height of the mast of the wind turbine. However,this is not a legal requirement, and the actual setback can varydepending on specific local regulations and environmental impactassessments. In Germany, the setback requirements for wind turbines vary basedon the designated noise level protection of the area: - In “quiet regions” with a noise level of 35 dB(A), thesetback is typically between 1,000 to 1,500 meters. - In “middle regions” with a noise level of 40 dB(A), thesetback ranges from 600 to 1,000 meters. - In “standard regions” with a noise level of 45 dB(A), thesetback is usually between 300 to 600 meters. These distances can vary since all makes and models of wind turbines are not equally noisy. Some German states have their ownspecific standards.Both countries approach the issue with an emphasis on minimizing noise impact and ensuring the turbines fit appropriately within the local environment.

In Ontario, the difference in setback requirements for windturbines between participating and non-participating properties islargely due to considerations of impact and consent. Participatinglandowners, who have agreed to have turbines on their property,are generally more accepting of their presence and the associatedimpacts such as noise or visual disturbance. In contrast, nonparticipatingproperty owners have not given such consent, sogreater setbacks are required to minimize potential impacts ontheir properties. This approach is aimed at balancing thedevelopment of wind energy with the rights and preferences ofindividuals living near these installations.

Research from Iowa State University suggests that wind turbineslocated in agricultural fields can have a positive impact on cropsgrowing around them. The study, conducted by a team of plant andsoil scientists, observed that wind turbines change themicroclimate for crops like corn and soybeans. The turbulencecreated by the turbines can interact with the crop, possiblyincreasing evaporation from the crop or moving carbon dioxidedown into the crop. This increased movement can also lead tomore sunlight penetrating the dense crop canopy, potentiallybenefiting the plants.Overall crops grown in wind farms seem to benefit.“So there are three ways the crop is being ‘fertilized’ from eitherthe air or from the soil or from increased photosynthesis. Wemeasured increased carbon dioxide uptake during the day, but anincreased respiration at night,” he said. “But over the course of theday there was more uptake. So as far as the impact of the turbineson the carbon dioxide processes and the photosynthesis process inthe near vicinity of the turbines it’s a net gain.”