A recent study conducted by the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research (WIMR) has found that the infrasound produced by wind turbines does not negatively affect human health. Infrasound refers to sound waves that are below the human hearing range of 16 Hz. Despite being inaudible, critics have claimed that it can disrupt sleep and cause health problems. However, the study found no evidence to support these claims.
The study involved 37 healthy adults who were exposed to infrasound with a sound pressure level of 90 dB for three nights in a sleep laboratory. This level of infrasound is higher than that produced by a wind farm with eight turbines located 390 meters away. The participants did not experience any negative effects on their sleep quality, brain function, cardiovascular health, or psychological well-being. The study’s lead author, Professor Nathaniel Marshall, stated that none of the participants developed symptoms of the Wind Turbine Syndrome (WTS), which includes headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, nausea, tinnitus, and irritability.
The study’s findings contradict the claims made by critics of wind turbines, who have argued that infrasound can cause health problems. The authors of the study suggest that the WTS may be caused by the nocebo effect, which is a phenomenon where negative expectations can lead to negative health outcomes. The study’s results provide scientific evidence to support the safety of wind turbines and may help to alleviate concerns about their potential health effects.
