A large-scale study by American scientists found no link between living near wind power plants and deteriorating health.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh analyzed data from over 120,000 American households over 12 years to examine the link between living near wind turbines and complaints of headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
The scientists compared a map of 75,000 turbines with a national survey and records of over-the-counter medication purchases, tracking changes in the same families before and after the installation of the equipment. No statistically significant increase in symptoms or sales of painkillers and sleeping pills was found.
The authors of the study concluded that at typical exposure levels, wind turbines do not pose a systemic threat to human health. Although the noise from the rotating blades may irritate some residents, there was no scientific evidence that it causes illness. The results cast doubt on the existence of the so-called 'wind turbine syndrome' and provide authorities with a more reliable scientific basis for making decisions about the development of renewable energy.
Now officials have a large-scale study that disproves assumptions about systemic health harm at typical exposure levels.
