Top Doc gives turbines a clean bill of health

A definitive ruling has come from the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health on the impacts of wind turbines on human health. In a report released earlier today, Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer announced that “The scientific evidence does not demonstrate any direct causal link between wind turbine noise and adverse health effects according to a new report from of Health.”

The report (available here), was prepared with technical support from the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health. The study reviewed existing literature (from 1970 to present) on wind turbines and health from scientific journals, documented case studies and other sources.

The report came after concerns have been expressed by members of the public and municipalities about possible effects of wind turbines on public health. While the report said there were reports of perceived adverse health impacts, these reports were not documented in scientific literature and the studies had severe methodological limitations due to bias and lack of exposure data, to name a few.

Given this important new evidence we need to move forward in developing Ontario’s wind resources, while ensuring that certain guidelines are strictly upheld. All types of development, noisy or not, need to be planned appropriately. As with gas power plants, 400-series highways and skyscrapers, there are places where wind turbines, hydro dams and biogas plants might not be appropriate, but decisions need to be based on scientific and measurable standards.