Dave Hurlburt

Submission to Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise and Health Study, 2012

David Michaud:

It is wonderful that Canada is taking a lead to study this very complicated issue. Your team has acknowledged the lack of proper scientific studies on this topic. There is a large body of anecdotal evidence of adverse health effects among residents living adjacent to industrial wind turbines. Apparently it is not clear what causes those adverse effects. There is certainly a need to carry out proper controlled/blinded studies to determine scientifically the causes of those adverse health effects. Literature reviews as that carried out by Arlene King are not adequate basis for public policy.

Section 2.2 Research outcomes and limitations states "the results will not provide a definitive answer on their own." It is my hope that the panel has not predetermined the outcome of the study and will approach this study with an open mind and let the study results speak for themselves.

Q&A 13 states "the most rigorous studies available to date do not show a link between exposure to wind turbine noise and harm to human health." Could you please indicate what studies are being referenced in this statement? This statement also suggests to me a biased attitude on the part of the designers of this study as to the outcome expected.

Please consider the following suggestions:

1. Many residents living close to wind turbines are under gag orders from wind turbine companies. They are unlikely to volunteer for the study. The panel could seek out a legal remedy and assurance that will allow those residents to participate in the study.

2. The judgement and testimony of the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal of August, 2011 of case No 10-121/10-122 Erickson v MOE is a good source of current information for the study. The Maine study entered as evidence (and subsequently published in the proceedings of the 10th International Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem (ICBEN) 2011, London, UK.) is of particular relevance.

3. The Canadian Institute of Health Research should be engaged in this study.

Respectfully submitted,

Dave Hurlburt

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