Mass. wind turbine health study debated at hearing

[jpak]

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9STS1U80.htm

Neil Anderson says the headaches, dizziness and palpitations began shortly after Wind One, a 400-foot high wind turbine, began operating about a quarter mile from his Falmouth home. So did sleep disruptions, ringing in his ears and elevated blood pressure.

Anderson was among a number of Massachusetts residents who on Tuesday disputed a recent report from a state-appointed panel of experts that reviewed existing scientific evidence and found no serious health risks associated with living near wind turbines.

"Despite the conclusions of this expert health panel, wind turbines that are close to residences make people sick," Anderson told the Statehouse hearing, adding that nearly all of his symptoms disappeared when the town-owned, 1.6 megawatt turbine was temporarily shut down in November amid complaints.

Environmentalists, industry officials and other wind energy advocates were equally strong in their praise of the panel's report, telling state officials who called the meeting that the findings were a resounding endorsement of wind as a safe and clean alternative to other types of energy.

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[baldguy]

1. Correlation does not imply causation

The fact is - with or without nearby wind turbines - people will get sick. The symptoms described can more likely be attributed to literally 1000 other things, or even none at all. Casting about randomly to place blame on someone or something else won't suddenly make sickness go away.

[Nihil]

2. He could still be right (for the wrong reasons) ...

> Neil Anderson says the headaches, dizziness and palpitations began shortly
> after Wind One, a 400-foot high wind turbine, began operating about a
> quarter mile from his Falmouth home. So did sleep disruptions, ringing in
> his ears and elevated blood pressure.

Sounds to me like stress from working himself up over a decision that he
didn't like - especially considering the psychosomatic "cure" he reported:

> "adding that nearly all of his symptoms disappeared when the town-owned,
> 1.6 megawatt turbine was temporarily shut down




Yes, the things can be noisy close up but quarter of a mile away?

[madokie]

3. We lived practically underneath a 4kw turbine

its maybe 75 yards from my front door and it made noises and they bothered me at first but like anything you get used to it. In fact when it broke and quite working I missed the sound. I could tell a lot about what the wind was like by the sound it made. I could tell if it was from the south or the north, east or west because after a while you become accustomed to the sound with the orientation of the turbine.
I think this guy is just pissed out of stupidity myself IMHO