Understanding the Evidence: Wind Turbine Noise
The Expert Panel on Wind Turbine Noise and Human Health
Demand for renewable energy, including wind power, is expected to grow in Canada and around the world. The wind sector has expanded rapidly since the 1990s, and Canada is now the fifth-largest global market for the installation of wind turbines. However, this new source of environmental sound has raised public concerns about potential health effects on nearby residents.
Determining whether wind turbine noise causes adverse health effects is an important issue. In response to public concern, Health Canada asked the Council of Canadian Academies to conduct an in-depth expert panel assessment. The Panel’s report presents findings on the acoustic characteristics of wind turbine noise, evidence on causal relationships between exposure to wind turbine noise and adverse health effects, knowledge gaps and further research, and promising practices to reduce adverse community response. The resulting report is evidence-based and does not espouse recommendations. Its purpose, rather, is to assess the scientific evidence on the question of wind turbine noise and human health in order to provide a foundation of knowledge to support governments, policy makers, communities, and the industry.
The Sponsor:
Health Canada
The Expert Panel on Wind Turbine Noise and Human Health