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Wind turbine noise
BMJ 2012; 344 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e1527 (Published 08 March 2012) Cite this as: BMJ 2012;344:e1527

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22 April 2014
Dave Atherton
Chairman
 
Freedom2Choose
Flat 2 Wellington Passage, London E11 2AL

Re: Wind turbine noise
Ladies and gentlemen sorry to get to the debate 2 years late, but I hope you find my contribution worthy. (1)

When it comes to psychogenic illness, it seems unlikely it is an illness that affects animals. This paper was published in 2013 from Poland, if I may quote. (2)

"The study consisted of 40 individuals of 5-week-old domestic geese Anser anser f domestica, divided into 2 equal groups. The first experimental gaggle (I) remained within 50 m from turbine and the second one (II) within 500 m. During the 12 weeks of the study, noise measurements were also taken. Weight gain and the concentration of cortisol in blood were assessed and significant differences in both cases were found.

Geese from gaggle I gained less weight and had a higher concentration of cortisol in blood, compared to individuals from gaggle II. Lower activity and some disturbing changes in behavior of animals from group I were noted. Results of the study suggest a negative effect of the immediate vicinity of a wind turbine on the stress parameters of geese and their productivity."

In Portugal a study from Portugal suggested that foals born near wind turbines developed Equine Flexural Limb Deformities.

Also "Biologist Dr. Lynne Knuth, in a letter to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, testified as follows: “The problems with animal reproduction reported in the wind farms in Wisconsin are lack of egg production, problems calving, spontaneous abortion (embryonic mortality), stillbirth, miscarriage and teratogenic effects:

In chickens: Crossed beaks, missing eyeballs, deformities of the skull (sunken eyes), joints of feet/legs bent at odd angles.

In cattle: missing eyes and tails (updated Excerpts from the Final Report of the Township of Lincoln Wind Turbine Moratorium Committee)."" (4)

There is more here. (5)

In conclusion it is possible in humans wind farm illnesses could be psychogenic. In animals it maybe a bridge too far.

1. http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e1527

2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24597302

3. https://www.repository.utl.pt/bitstream/10400.5/4847/1/Deforma%C3%A7ao%2...

4. file:///C:/Users/DaveA/Downloads/viewdoc.htm

5. http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/62126