In 2009, NHMRC conducted a rapid review of current scientific literature to determine whether there was a link between wind turbines and adverse health effects. The review considered the potential health impacts of infrasound, noise, electromagnetic interference, shadow flicker and blade glint produced by wind turbines and concluded that, at the time of writing, there was no published scientific evidence to positively link wind turbines with adverse health effects.
In July 2010, NHMRC released NHMRC Public Statement: Wind Turbines and Health and supporting evidence Wind Turbines and Health: A rapid review of the evidence. The Public Statement recommends that, to minimise any potential impacts of wind turbines on surrounding areas, authorities take a precautionary approach and continue to monitor research outcomes. Members of the public are urged to contact their doctor if they have any individual health concerns.
Residents living close to wind farms have raised concerns about potential adverse health impacts from wind turbines including nausea, headaches, anxiety and sleep and learning difficulties.
When the NHMRC released its Public Statement it undertook to maintain a watching brief of the scientific evidence. The Wind Farms and Human Health Scientific Forum held on 7 June 2011 is part of our commitment to this process.
Public Statement and Evidence Review
- Public Statement: Wind Turbines and Health
- Evidence Review: Wind Turbines and Health: A Rapid Review of the Evidence - July 2010
Wind Farms and Human Health Scientific Forum - 7 June 2011
On Tuesday 7 June 2011 NHMRC conducted a scientific forum on the possible health effects of wind turbines.The forum provided an opportunity for NHMRC to hear the latest international scientific evidence and to engage with stakeholders over the range of issues for which there is public concern. The morning session was streamed live via the NHMRC website from 8.45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
- Wind Farms and Human Health Scientific Forum - Discussion Paper (including event programme) (PDF, 54KB)
- Speaker Biographies (PDF, 55KB)
Presentations
- Wind Farms and Human Health - Geoff Leventhall, Noise and Vibration Consultant, London, England (PDF, 776KB)
- Low Frequency Noise and Health Effects - Mariana Alves-Pereira, PhD, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal & Nuno Castelo Branco, MD Center for Human Performance, Alverca, Portugal (PDF, 3.9MB)
- Wind Farm Noise : Assessment and Management - Dr Bob Thorne, NMS (PDF, 5.1MB)
- Psycho-social mediators of reported annoyance and putative health-related symptoms associated with wind turbines: a discussion starter - Professor Simon Chapman, PhD FASSA, University of Sydney (DOC, 93KB)
On demand video
Scientific Panel One: current evidence on health impacts
Professor Geoffrey Leventhall
Professor Mariana Alves-Pereira
Questions and discussion
Scientific Panel Two
Dr Bob Thorne – human perception and infrasound
Dr Simon Chapman – psycho-social factors
Questions and discussion
Panel Three: personal stories
Dr Sarah Laurie (Chair)
Ms Bernie Janssen
Mr Donald Thomas
Mr David Page
NHMRC CEO communique
NHMRC CEO Warwick Anderson released a preliminary communiqué after the Scientific Forum on 7 June.
NHMRC Report on the Scientific Forum: Wind Farms and Human Health - 7 June 2011
Next Steps
The Council of NHMRC has since agreed to a systematic approach to review the literature following its Scientific Forum on 7 June 2011. Later this year, the outcome of the review will be provided to a reference group for comment and to recommend changes to the current Public Statement. NHMRC will establish the reference group in coming months and will seek representation from industry, relevant consumers, researchers and scientists. Recommendations will then be provided to Council for their consideration and advice with regard to updating NHMRC’s Public Statement, and recommending further research. NHMRC intends to make the literature review available via its website by mid 2012 and aims to release a revised Public Statement by the end of 2012.