 If a company added turbines like these close to your home, without consulting you at all, what would your concerns be? |
|
Home _________________
Adams County Wind Ordinance
Safety & Health Issues
Flicker, Noise,
Real Estate Values
Crop Dusting & Agricultural Issues
What You Can Do
Contact Us:
|
|
Quick Links: Landowners individually named in lawsuit re: DeKalb, IL County Board Wind Ordinance, 1-9-2010 A Wisconsin farmer talks about his regrets
A medical doctor's plea |
|
_________________
|
|
We are not against
wind energy. Rather, this website includes important questions
about the best ways to develop our Adams County Wind resources,
and it reflects our obvious concern that the Adams County Wind Ordinance
fails to protect the interests of all of our residents. The public
deserves a far better deal than this ordinance provides. Thank you for considering this information; we promise to respect those who have differing opinions, and we hope for the best future for our beautiful and beloved Adams County. |
|
Windmills in Adams County Negative Health Effects |
|
|
This page gives recent evidence to support the
concern that putting wind turbines only 1000 feet away from homes and
schools (as provided in the Adams County Wind Ordinance) would be reckless
with the health of Adams County residents. Even though some
people are able to tolerate living that close, there is ongoing
scientific investigation into the reasons why at least 25% to 50% of people
living within a half mile of a turbine will suffer from a variety of physical
and psychological symptoms.
It is of particular concern that the severity of symptoms has led a small but growing number of people to abandon their homes (and be unable to sell them), not only in the United States but also in other countries. Far from "just being in their head," this issue has already led the World Health Organization and other respected scientific groups around the world to seek longer setbacks ranging from one-half mile (2640 feet) to one mile and a half (7920 feet) from homes, schools, and businesses. |
|
|
"My husband and I have decided to walk away from
our property. I can't stand it here for another day. I can't
leave soon enough. You may be able to put turbines up behind our home,
but that doesn't mean I am going to do nothing when it affects my family's
health and my animals' well-being." -- Property owner in Wisconsin, abandoned home in September, 2009 The above quote is from a book, Wind Turbine Syndrome, by Dr. Nina Pierpont, published in fall 2009, including ten in-depth medical case studies of families living between one-half and one mile of a wind turbine who began experiencing health issues at the same time the turbines were installed. Before the study ended, eight of the ten families left their homes. For more about this book, her impressive credentials, reviews by medical experts, and her findings: http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com/
|
|
|
The Acoustic Ecology Institute "Noise can be a significant issue in at least some situations when turbines are within about a half mile of homes, with some impacts apparent up to a mile away. Some acousticians and health professional are encouraging setbacks of as much as 1.5 miles...It appears to AEI that a half-mile (2600 feet/800m) setback is appropriate if the goal is to minimize impacts on residents, with a one-mile (1.5 km) setback offering near assurance of avoiding noise issues." (From the Acoustic Ecology Institute Special Report, November, 2009. Link to full report below: http://acousticecology.org/srwind.html The report details the effects of noise and low-frequency (inaudible) vibrations on human health, and relates these findings to safe setback distances. It discusses the dangers of allowing 1000 foot setbacks, and identifies many reputable sources (including the World Health Organization and other scientific groups from around the world) who recommend minimum setbacks of 1/2 mile or more.
Other Personal Stories Read other personal stories of health effects caused by living close to a wind turbine: http://betterplan.squarespace.com/what-its-like-to-live-near-win/ Video: Negative Health Effects http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm0Oe8J6qT8 Article: "Are Wind Turbine Farms Making People Sick? Some Say Yes" (a balanced article exploring both sides of the issue). http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_813902f4-ae21-5932-9b79-d6e1cfa72ef7.html |
The World Health Organization 184 page Report, 2009 The Health Effects of Night Time Noise * Found that at outside average sound levels greater than 40db, "Adverse health effects are observed," and "many people have to adapt their lives to cope with the noise at night. Vulnerable groups are more severely affected." * Notes that
only below 30db are "no significant biological effects observed." European Setback Standards "The French National Academy of Medicine has called for a halt of all large-scale wind development within 1.5 kilometers (roughly 4921 feet) of any residence, and the U.K. Noise Association recommends a 1km (3281 feet) separation distance." (From the Acoustic Ecology Institute Special Report, November, 2009.) Article: "Simple Guidelines for Siting Wind Turbines to Avoid Health Risks" (July, 2008) Written by two sound engineers, George Kamperman & Richard James, both certified by the Institute of Noise Control Engineering, analyze the frequencies and types of wind turbine sounds that appear to be linked with health complaints, offer safe guidelines (by decibels instead of distance), and propose a standard means of measurement for enforcement purposes. |
|
How close is too close? While a slowly rotating windmill might look like a peaceful sight from a distance, scientists are continuing to study the negative health effects of living too close to a wind turbine as a result of constant noise-related sleep deprivation, low-level vibrations, and other factors. While it is true that the effects are still being studied, it is also true that it would be reckless with the health of citizens to assume at this early point in the study that there is no cause for concern. Many representatives in the wind industry claim that there is no proven health risk associated with living near a wind turbine, and short setbacks hold down associated costs for the company. The Adams County Board acted on the wind industry's most aggressive recommendation, and approved a mere 1000 foot setback from homes and schools; or a 1.10 times turbine height (about 500-600 feet) setback for homeowners who waive the 1000 foot requirement. Meanwhile, because it appears that some percentage of the population may suffer from negative health issues as a result of living too close to wind turbines, most reputable scientists recommend that until we know differently, wind turbines should not be placed within a half-mile (2640 feet) of a home, school, or business, and others conclude that even greater distances are required. There are more than 30 additional articles recommending longer setbacks listed on the Better Plan, Wisconsin website.
|
|
