Your BasketWhat is "Wind Turbine Syndrome"?
According to Dr. Nina Pierpont, a Johns Hopkins trained MD and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Wind Turbine Syndrome" is a well-documented clinical phenomenon marked by a "constellation of symptoms" that occur in people who live within 2 miles of industrial turbines (in mountainous terrain) or within 1.5 miles (in mixed terrain).
As wind utilities are being installed at an increasing pace, more doctors around the world are studying this phenomenon and sharing information. They all note the same set of symptoms, which start when local turbines go into operation and resolve when turbines are turned off or when the individual leaves the area.
The symptoms include:
- Sleep problems: continuous noise and/or physical sensations of pulsation or pressure make it hard to go to sleep and cause frequent awakening.
- Headaches which increase in frequency and/or severity.
- Dizziness, unsteadiness, and nausea (often summarized as "motion sickness").
- Exhaustion, anxiety, anger, irritability, and depression.
- Problems with concentration and learning.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Dr. Pierpont says that not everyone who lives within two miles of wind turbines has these symptoms; however, this does not mean that the people who do are making them up. It means that there are differences in "susceptibility" among people. In the medical community, these differences are known as "risk factors."
Sensitivity to low-frequency vibration is a risk factor.
Some people feel disturbing amounts of vibration or pulsation from wind turbines and can count within their chests the beats of the blades passing the towers--even when they can't see hear or see them. Dr. Pierpont says that sensitivity to low-frequency vibration is highly variable in people and poorly understood by the medical community.
Pre-existing migraine disorder is a risk factor.
Migraine as anyone who has this disorder knows, is not just a bad headache. It is a complex neurological phenomenon affecting the visual, hearing, balance, and motor control systems. Many people with migraine disorder have increased sensitivity to noise and motion. They get carsick, seasick, and sick on carnival rides. Migraine-associated vertigo is a described medical condition. Migraine occurs in 12% of Americans.
Age-related change to ear health is a risk factor.
Five percent of otherwise healthy people between age 57 and 91 experience dizziness and 24% experience tinnitus. Previous damage to the inner ear from industrial or other noise exposure or childhood infection is a compounding factor. Inner ear organs are closely neurologically linked to the brain systems which control mood, anxiety, and one's sense of well-being.
Dr. Pierpont says: "Disturbing the inner ear disturbs mood, not because a person is a whiner or doesn't like turbines, but because of neurology."
Yes, wind turbines are electricity-producing machines, but they are also low-frequency noise producing machines.
The unintended consequences of this noise on human and animal health are only just now being investigated.
Dr. Pierpont is the cutting-edge researcher in this field. Please see her website for a very helpful roadmap to a very difficult subject.
http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com/?p=2825
For a visual and auditory experience of life with Big Wind in your backyard, watch the video below: