Jane Zednik
Submission to Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise and Health Study, 2012
Jane Zednik
Campbellcroft, ON
“Over and over and over. Pound…. Pound…. Pound. It never stops. Windows, nor walls, earplugs nor noise machines can stop it. This pulse has a unique ability to travel very far, as it bounces off of everything....
...Pound…Pound…. Pound. Soon you can’t sleep. Frequent headaches appear. Heart palpitations. And what is that strange pressure in my head and ears? Heart rate and blood pressure increase (The pulse actually mimics the heart beat-this is a terrible feeling!) You begin to have problems with balance, and irregularities with hearing.” (Falmouth, Maine resident where a wind turbine has been shut down after being in operation for only a few months due to the health problems encountered by nearby residents. As many as 50 people are complaining about the turbine and the noise it makes at different speeds)
This experience from the United States is not unique. Worldwide, people living in the vicinity of industrial wind power plants have long complained of adverse health effects. For too long, these health complaints have not been taken seriously. Epidemiological studies have not been conducted. It is heartening to read that Health Canada will be conducting such studies.
There are dozens of reports and studies on noise produced by industrial wind turbines available from sources around the world. Literature reviews have been conducted by the wind industry as well as those who have voiced concerns. The problem is, it appears, literature for review might be cherry-picked and as a result might not produce accurate conclusions.
My understanding is that Health Canada study is being designed with external experts in areas including:
- Noise.
- Health assessment.
- Clinical medicine.
- Epidemiology.
It is stated that infrasound emissions will be studied. It is hoped that a rigorous assessment of inaudible noise – infrasound –will be undertaken. While audible sound has been noted to be problematic, it appears that it is the inaudible noise emitted which may be responsible for the often reported more serious adverse health effects.
It has been stated that 2000 people who live near 8 to 12 operating wind power plants will be contacted to participate in the study. According to the CANWEA website there are 141 operating wind power plant sites in Canada at this time.
How will the 8 to 12 wind power plants be selected for study?
Power plants that have been the subject of multiple complaints or have resulted in the abandonment of residences should be considered primary candidates. For Ontario, this information should be available through the offices of the Ministry of the Environment.
A concentrated study on wind developments located in Ontario should be considered since it is the most populated province in Canada and at this time, will play host to the largest number of industrial wind turbines.
How will the 2000 people be contacted? Some people feel threatened and intimidated by any perceived intrusion into their lives, let alone being asked to participate in such an intimate study. People living near wind power plants and are experiencing noise related effects often feel isolated and may be suspicious of any studies. What happens if very few residents agree to participate in this study?
Will landowners who signed leases with wind developers be included in the study? They should- but it appears participating in such a study might violate terms of contracts signed.
Below is a list of health specialists worldwide who have recognized the ill health effects of wind power plants. It is hoped these specialists will be invited to join in on the studies:
Dr. Michael Nissenbaum, M.D., USA, Dr. Robert Thorne, PhD, Health Sciences and Acoustics, Australia, Richard James, INCE Acoustician, USA, Dr. Christopher Hanning, M.D., FRCA, MRCS, LRCP, Sleep Specialist, UK, Dr. Robert McMurtry, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C), F.A.C.S., Canada, Dr Arline Bronzaft, PhD, Noise and Health Specialist, USA, Dr. Jeffery Armmini, PhD, Epidemiologist, Canada, Dr. Carl Phillips, PhD, M.P.P., Epidemiology and Public Policy, USA, Dr. Daniel Shepherd, PhD, Noise and Health Specialist, New Zealand, Dr. Sarah Laurie, Waubra Foundation, Australia, Dr. Nina Pierpont, Author of Wind Turbine Syndrome, USA, Dr. Mauri Johansson, Specialist in Community Health and Occupational Medicine, Denmark, Dr. Henrik Moeller, Acoustic Specialist, Denmark.
Considering that the government of Ontario anticipates 10,000 industrial wind power plants will be constructed by the year 2018, most in close proximity to rural residences and rural towns, this study will be most welcome. It is hoped that testimonials from Ontario residents such as the following will be treated with utmost respect and concern.
"I want to say that people who became sick and people who left their homes did so because their bodies were physically assaulted by noise, vibration and dirty electricity, not because they were 'annoyed' as most interpret the word. You won't find me using the word 'annoyance' ever again because I think it's an insult to what people go through and I always have." Lorrie - Ontario resident living near a wind power plant
Emails:
Eastern Ontario, Concerned Parents
Date: Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Subject: concerned parents
Where do I start… my family and I feel as though we’ve been lied to by the wind company that has built in our community [community name] We were told that these things were whisper quiet THEY’RE NOT !!! – I have a ** year old child that has never had a headache in their life, now (after the towers came online) has a headache every week or two. My spouse has migraines, or very severe headaches several times a week, I am now taking sleeping pills to get to sleep. We would sell and move in a second, but there is no way anyone would want to purchase our property, we have about 5-7, 2.3 meg towers within a mile of our home. But here is another problem, and I suspect there are several people in our position. We feel that if we complain there would be repercussions for our family, we have children in school. I believe that if we register a complaint with the company, the township, or the MPP that everyone in the community would know about it the next day after all meeting at the local restaurant for coffee the next morning. I wish that we could find more like minded people in our community, but we’re reluctant to ask around. Where does someone start, to try and make this right.
Lake Erie, Symptoms Dismissed
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 8:01 PM
Subject: Wind Farm [community name]
Hello. I live .5 kilometer away from a windfarm and it’s causing me to have ear ringing, headaches, sleepless nights, nausea etc. I contacted the company and had a meeting with them that was totally useless to help me. They told me my illness was not caused by the windfarm even though there was nothing wrong with me before. I’ve been to the doctor several times. There’s not much he can do either. What can you do after you have contacted all the people you have on the list of people to contact? What next?
Melancthon (Shelburne area), Person echoes what many experience
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 10:36 AM
Subject: New victim in [community name]
Hi ******,
I just had someone stop in at the house because of the good old “Stop the Wind Farm” sign on my mailbox.
His name is ********* and he lives [community name]. Phone number ********** and cell number **********. Unfortunately he does not have an E-mail and does not use the internet.
He his having problems sleeping and occasionally gets a headache that he feels is because of the turbines. It has been going on for months now and it is to the point he does not even want to return home. He did not really know who to complain to and was feeling hopeless. He did call the spills number once but never got a return call. He said one of his neighbours is also feeling the same.
He was not aware of the WCO or Wind Vigilance groups so I let him know he is not alone and I promised to have someone from Wind Vigilance contact him.
It was amazing to hear a story, from someone who has never read any other accounts from other victims, which echoed everything we’ve already heard before.
Thanks, ---
Melancthon (Shelburne area), no help from Government or wind developer
My parents have worked their whole lives and invested in their homes and farms in Melancthon, now they are surrounded by wind turbines, they can’t sleep at night. I am watching their health diminish. Not to mention they can’t sell anything as no one wants to live near these turbines. They are living right in the middle and are surrounded by the turbines. TransAlta has admitted to exceeding the MOE guidelines and they have shut down the turbines at night so they claim yet sound are still unbearable. My parents have no one on their side it seems and no one seems to want to help including MOE or and all efforts of MP’s and MPP have gotten nowhere. Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.
Lake Erie, Can’t Stand It at Home Anymore
Subject: re farm i cannot sell and want to leave ASAP
Sent: Aug 16, 2010 11:45 AM
Hi *****, sorry to bother you but i would like to sell my farm and get out of here as these turbines are driving me nuts last night. I even had to try to shut my outside guard dog to shut up. My ears are still humming and it makes it difficult to concentrate. I have left a message to MOE and they are to call back.
Amaranth (Shelburne area), Vibration:
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 4:53 AM
Subject: the interesting hum
We have that loud humming/vibration again tonight. Sounds almost like a motor right outside of our wall.
Following Paul’s advice, I just went downstairs and pulled the main breaker so everything in the house went off… the hum is still in our house. (Raised) basement and upstairs. Rather unnerving……….
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 4:52 AM
Subject: Re:
The tent was half over last night because it was terribly windy the last couple of days. We were too lazy and it was too late so we decided to stay inside last night. At 4 am the light hum turned into a full on loud intermittent electrical hum/vibration with the high pitched squeal in it. The whole bed was physically vibrating. As I sit hear my right ear hurts and my head is getting full. I think we’re being microwaved I swear to God. This reminds me of the winter when I think I had connected this sound to when they start the generators up to warm up the oil so they can run the turbines. I don’t doubt it. It has been pretty cold and we have been out in the tent so I haven’t heard this part for a while. Brutal.
Amaranth Families Need to Vacate
From: lpcgillis
Subject: Special Request, Important
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:12:14 -0400
The [family] have been living in the middle of a wind turbine complex in Amaranth since late November/08.
Even with the wind company’s alleged effort to try to fix a problem they can’t fix, they have had VERY few nights of full peaceful sleep since then and their health and well being is worn down to nothing. They need to get out NOW. They are so strong but they recognize that they are both at the breaking point.
They both work in [town] and need to be within an hour or so of driving time if possible. They have 3 quiet, well behaved older inside dogs and 3 very quiet and well behaved cats. All the animals are VERY clean and very good house guests. The dogs need to be where there are no other dogs, very important.
Is anyone able to help with the offer of a rental property, a guest house, a anything? They are in desperate need right now
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 7:14 PM
Subject: RE: Special Request, Important
Hi Lorrie,
We live on the *** line of ***** and own a rental property right beside us. In fact there is a family renting it now who moved from the same area for the same reason. They have bought a house and their closing date is May 15th. They said they were going to be taking their time moving, as they have next door rented until June 15th. It will certainly be available then if the [family] haven’t found anything by then. We would likely be a good hour drive from [town] as well.
It just breaks my heart to hear of stories like this.
[Homeowner]
Everyone Knows Someone Having Trouble
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 9:52 PM
Subject: turbine noise
Dear Lorrie,
At the grocery store today I met a friend who works as a nurse at the hospital. We got talking about the latest news, and she gave me the name of another person bothered by the wind turbine noise in Melancthon.
His name is ******. He has had sound testing done at his home, but I don’t know the results. All I know is that he is bothered by the noise of the turbines.
Sincerely, ---
Amaranth (Shelburne area), Kidds/Whitworths
A substation was built by Canadian Hydro Developers in 2006 as part of the Melancthon EcoPower Centre featuring133 industrial wind turbines and purchased by TransAlta in 2009. The Kidds’ home is 390 metres from the station and the Whitworths’ is 490 metres.
Before the substation began, the Whitworths and Kidds felt fine. But once it began, headaches and sleep deprivation soon followed. The families recently posted a video on YouTube in which a florescent light bulb is seen glowing without being plugged in, while the camera is on night vision mode. www.youtube.com/watch?v=faEo2-o8FGM
Extractions from WindVOiCe reports: www.windvigilance.com
Please note: Comments are transcribed exactly as submitted by respondents.
Date Tabulated: March 21, 2009:
#13
10) [quality of life altered] Everything in my life has changes since the town_x Wind Turbine Project company_x has been in operation. I feel my health has been compromised. I have felt generally unwell physically and mentally since March 24/08.
Also Sensitivity to white noise and sounds has increased. My ears are either humming or feeling pressure on them / heart palpitations continue usually while sleeping. My anxiety and stress levels continue to be high. We have discouraged our two daughters and son-in law from visiting. They have also experienced health issues when visiting. The damage that has been done to my body – scares me what will happen in the future. At 60 – I wanted to enjoy my retirement with reasonable good health and now everything has blown up in our faces. We spent 5 weeks in Florida Jan 26 – March/09 improvement in health. Loss of enjoyment of working outside with flower beds and yard. Our property value has been greatly decreased. We are still having problems with electrical polution. Constant reminder in every direction of our property – turbines. A very uncertain future!!
#21
9) [other] vibration/hum in house that gets into the head & body & makes sleep impossible. Torturous some nights, some not as heavy but there. Teeth seem to tingle
No treatment – waiting for closure – do not want to take any medications. Follow up visit to come after yearly physical.
10) [quality of life altered] Noise levels very high. Whooshing noise is very irritating. Cannot sleep anymore. Have horrible vibration in the house and dog very upset. Spend nights on couch with TV and try to block out humming. Extremely tired and not functioning at cognitive and physical levels that I normally would. It is very distressing and invasive. My house is worth nothing now. I could never sell it. Angry, sad, disillusioned, exhausted.
11) Dogs & cats. 1 dog extremely antsy and whining & barking when vibration/noise levels are high. 2nd dog is just starting to show symptoms similar.
#44
9) [other] 1.vibration in body 2. chest and head pressure 3. heart rhythm sensations 4.nausea,queasy 5. dizziness
9) [other] queasiness, mild vibration in head and chest, heart sensations – felt like the beat of my heart changed by turbine.
[doctor] Yes, checkup.
10) I experienced severe health effects from exposure to a single wind turbine while on vacation and never, ever want to experience these health effects ever again. The vibration and breast sensations were very frightening and debilitating.
11) [quality of life altered] I experienced this attack when exposed to a small wind turbine group of 2 turbines. The wind was moderate and my symptoms were very uncomfortable. I left the area very quickly and felt better within an hour or two. I will avoid these turbines when ever possible because the health effects are very uncomfortable and distressing. Turbines make me feel very sick when I get near them. I am OK when I leave the area where they are installed.
11) n/a
#49
[headaches] at the back of the head/neck
9) [other] A jumpy feeling as if you have had 5 cups of coffee, humming in the head behind the ears, very painful left hip, spiking pain, loose stools, cold body temp, blurred vision when winds are high, some dizziness, increasing blood pressure, nerve pain from the left ear to jaw, 2 large coldsore masses one time, shortness of breath, tight chest and knot in left chest.
10) [quality of life altered] I used to be able to get a solid 6-8 hours, full of dreams and nap or snooze without any effort. I have been severely sleep deprived from Nov. 2007 to May 2008, attempted rest at billets in town paid for by wind_co_x. When [W.C.] turned off the field your whole body felt calm and like you have had a massage, humming or ringing subsided and could deep sleep. Again in the last week of Aug. 2008 to Feb. 2009 sleep deprived, waking up to 3 times or if the winds are high it seems like every hour and hard to drop off to sleep. Humming in the head occurring behind the ear and started wearing cotton batton, then over time orange ear plugs and head phones.(This did not stop the humming then latter ringing then buzzing and ringing*. The ability to hear my students even while working at the board has changed to walking across the room or asking for them to repeat louder the answers or questions. I can not listen to loud T.V. or music or sounds. At the worst I struggled to go into the Sobey Store, the lights made ears ring and similar environments (i.e. C.T. store). Now I am more sensitive to vibrations and high frequency electrical pollution which means some high tech equipment is more annoying than prior to Nov. 2007. All symptoms subside with less exposure and sleep**. *Change – I would attempt sleep in the spare room or in the basement. **As a family we shut off and unplugged as many appliances as possible prior to trying to sleep and when home. Difficult to form thoughts to come out of my mouth. I studdered on my words. When tired, I would wear a lot of extra clothes to try and warm up, too.
Have spent a massive number of hours, totally days of family time, working to get the problems resolved.
Personal Change – My love, [husband] ie worries and I worry about him and [daughter]. I truly miss being happy in my home. My home was my calm space where I could unwind after a day at highschool. No other space can replace the home where you have helped raise your family and had so many positive plans for the future.
Financial. did not have to worry about property value. Now our home is worthless unless someone can fix this mess. I could not in any moral consciousness sell knowing how we are affected.
#50
9) [other] [tinnitus] pop when turbines come on and off.
[sleep disturbance] Do not sleep a full night. Wake up quite often.
[other] nasal cavity felt like I had allergies, but no mucus, Irritable.
10) [quality of life altered] Personal – have found the changes in sleep patterns reduced energy levels, levels of patience and very frustrating and draining. Dec. on there were serious, angry arguements we normally do not have. I am very worried about my partner’s, [wife], reduced sleep/rest, humming/ringing in her ears and continued deterioration of health.
When [wife] had to live away from home it was hard. She is my partner and my love. We would always chat on family plans from food to finances. Our lives were upside down at all family levels when she was billeted by the windmill company wind_co_x from May 2008 to July 17th and AGAIN now. She is living at her Mom’s in town_y a 30 minute drive away (on Dr. orders). On a very personal level I am like a widower and sad and lonely.
Generally – Our financial outlook for our property has changed. At present we can not sell knowing the possible harm that someone may experience. This is a stressor we did not have prior to the turbines.
I can’t sleep with the bedroom window open in the summer for a cool breeze due to the roaring jet sound. (This was pleasant and cooling too.) I can’t have a quiet sit on the deck without the jet or swoosh sound. And our phone has static on it which is not there when turbine were not here. CKNX am channel is staticy or weaker in the project area.
Date Tabulated: March 24, 2009:
#52
6) Too close – I’m sure the bare minimum.
10) [quality of life altered] The constant changing sound changing to a horrible noise startles me, my dog and sometimes even the birds. The constant distant buzz in my head because of the substation – it’s always there. The blinking red lights at night just depresses me and ticks me off. I might as well be at an airport landing strip. The same goes when I just look around. There aren’t the same birds or their numbers anymore. I never see the deer anymore and to see the skyline no matter which way I turn ruined by the number of these things does give me a headache. I can count over 70 windmills from my property.
11) The cats don’t go as far out back as they used to. When they’re really noisy especially right before they shut down startles the dog. If it’s at night, he’s reluctant to go towards the noise and wants to come back in. The flyway for the swans is all windmills now so I’ll see if they come again this spring as they’ve done for years. The owls aren’t around in the numbers they were.
Date Tabulated: May 20, 2009:
#86
11) [pets/livestock] We keep about 20 nanny goats, for the past 20 months they have had abortions, not a single kid was born alive, all aborted before term, others died within 3 hours of birth.
#88
9) [other] Have no family doctor. Went to emerg currently awaiting a CT scan.
10) [quality of life altered] Constant noise, constant headaches. Sleep disturbance since the windtowers have started.
We have recently put a 500′ addition on our home with large windows all around. Not only we get flickering from the towers we cannot open any windows due to the constant noise of the blades.
My occupation is a bookkeeper. These constant headaches are affecting my concentration, especially working with numbers. I work from my home. I simply cannot afford to be in ill health.
I can no longer sit on my back porch enjoying the beautiful sunsets. This was so relaxing to me. Now all I see is flickering blades and blinding red lights. The sunsets have disappeared into money hungry pockets of our government.
This area was once known as having the most beautiful sunsets in the world, now gone!
I now am a prisoner in my own home of 23 years.
This is not the future I wanted! That is why I bought this property 23 years ago. Now I am going to sell and start all over again. Extremely depressing!
11) My horses are nervous of the noise and do not focus on what they are doing. Instead they watch the windmills making this a danger when riding or training them. My dogs and cats want to stay in the house more now. This is very unusual for them.
#89
9) [other] I currently have no family doctor.
10) [quality of life altered] The measurement of one’s quality of life is something difficult to qualify. That being said, I know what my life was like before the towers went up and I know what it is like now. Aside from the aforementioned health concerns there are many other factors that are of concern for myself. I have spent many years living on this property and making improvement to it. These improvements were compatable with the rural area in which I am located. Now I cannot enjoy quiet evenings (turbine noise), beautiful sunsets (turbines flashing on horizons – 67 can be viewed from my place) and star filled nights (bright and flashing lights in every direction).
These things may not seem important to those who don’t live here, but they are important to me and you just can’t put prices on that. My various levels of gov’t has desserted me and ignore my concerns.
This is not the future I had planned when I invested my energy, time and money in this place. I choose to live here for what it was, not what it has become. The addition of this wind project has upset the balance of this area and will, without a doubt, drive me from this area. This will happen with great financial loss to my family and the thought of starting over else where is almost intolerable, too much of me has gone into this – my home. Add this to the health concerns and we are looking at a disaster in the waiting.
11) I have noticed that the horses are far more nervous and more easily spooked. My dogs at times will not leave the house and are acting very out of character at times.
Date Tabulated: June 7, 2009:
#98
10) [quality of life altered] The flickering bothers us when we sit in our sunroom or deck in the afternoon. The noise is equally distrubing – especially at night sometimes we have to close our windows.
#99
8) [health altered] Yes, there may be a connection
9) [doctor] Mentioned to my Doctor outside of office, have not made an appointment. I am very healthy, thin, athletic and exercise often.
10) [quality of life altered] Prior to the installation I was always a high energy, upbeat person who slept well. Late in the fall of 2008, my wife and I started experiencing heart palpitations when trying to sleep. We can both hear our pulse in our ears. We never connected this to turbines until now.
I am less energetic, lacking in ambition, more moody and less optimistic. My whole state of mind has changed. It has impacted my work & home life. I cannot see or hear the turbines from my home. The symptoms were worse in the fall and winter and better in the spring. If our symptoms increase next fall and winter we will know it is linked to the turbines and wind speed/direction.
11) No pets or livestock.
Date Tabulated: July 20, 2009:
#108
6) [nearest turbine to property] There is at least one on each corner of my home (see map attached) Nearest is 481.8 meters
9) [other] Digestive problems/ chronic upset stomach
In December 2008 phase two was turned on, since then I have not slept thru the night. I have had to go to the Doctor and have sleeping pills prescribed so that I can get to sleep, but I am inevitably awakened each night.
My quality of life is and has been affected, I no longer look forward to coming home. I get a better night sleep in the city (go figure) and will spend some nights there, but why should I be run out of my home?
Summer is now upon us, I have always looked forward to this time of year. My home was built with summer as the focus, the positioning on my property, location of windows, all designed to enjoy having my windows open all summer long, and use Mother Nature’s air conditioning. For this reason I do not have A/C in my home (many people out here don’t.. it is (was) not necessary). Now the wind that I look so forward to each summer has become my enemy.
I have become intimately aware of the negative effects involved with living in a wind farm. It’s pretty sad that I have to put my T.V on the nature channel and close my windows and doors to hear “Nature” when I live in the middle of the Country!
The more I know, the worse the scenario is. I live in the middle of what sounds like an Airport only worse, at least if I lived next to the airport I would get a break every 30 seconds, and have ‘No Fly’ times so I could sleep.
Between the constant whooshing that echoes thru the skies 24/7, and the humming sound that is omitted from the mechanics of the turbine 24/7, I have gone from being a very easy going, relaxed person to struggling on a daily basis with anything from stress to depression to anxiety. I attempted seeing a massage therapist and chiropracotor to help relieve the tension, but this proved to only be a temporary fix, and was quite costly, so I had to stop going. Not to mention the other Health related issues that are now becoming a daily struggle. I have headaches at least every other day; and a constant ringing in my ears, I have had 2 ear infections in the course of a 3 month period, and occasionally suffer mild hearing loss. I experience digestive problems, and an upset stomach after almost every meal which will last anywhere from a few hours to days. I have gone from being a healthy person that had to visit the doctor once, maybe twice a year (one of these visits being a regular checkup) to having all these symptoms happen at once, and persist for months on end. It is all a little too coincidental, don’t you think? Even guests to my home experience similar symptoms when they stay for more than a day.
I lay awake at night and trying to figure out why this has happened. I have come here to realize what has been my dream for over 20 years, and it has turned into what would be a nightmare if I could sleep. Where do I go from here? I am not only financially bound to my home, but emotionally torn. As I consider my options (none of them good) I cry.
The Ironic thing about it is I am not even done yet. Just to add a little insult to injury, I have to now finish my dream so that I can walk away from it for the sake of my health.
I cannot go onto my property any time of the night or day ever again and experience the peaceful serenity, and sounds of nature that made me fall in love with this place, and want to build my dream home here.
My goal with this letter is to bring awareness to the issue that I and many others are dealing with. For those that don’t live in the middle of a wind farm, but merely drive thru once in a while, my situation would be hard to understand. It is quite an awe to see for the occasional passer-by, but there is far more to this than meets the eye.
For the land owners that have agreed to have these turbines on their property, I would be curious to know, how much was my Dream worth? Because it is worthless to me now.
Date Tabulated: September 11, 2009:
#113
Young Child - Form completed by parent
9) [headaches, palpitations] too young to describe.
[hearing problems] We are having hearing re-checked. Family Dr. found swelling, excessive wax.
[sleep disturbance] sleeps but does not seem rested.
[approached doctor] Family Dr. [doc’s name] suggested hearing test, documented visit, found no issues apparent – does not have knowledge of WTS but has heard some comments from local public health.
12) [life altered] I feel both my children are “different” in their behaviour – two happy, well-behaved children have become irritable and unreasonable w/tempers and aggitation – reminds me of an overtired or hungry child. This is compounded by the fact that my husband and I are affected and sleep deprived and I imagine have lower patience, tolerance and are irritable also. [Child’s name] describes “bees” in his ears – I believe ringing ringing from W.T.s. [wind turbines]
#117
9) [other symptoms] rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, overall sensation of being pressurized as if I could explode aggravated digestive problems, cannot relax.
10) [ life altered] – cannot sell property. Municipal value @$258,000 – listed @ $239,000 – nobody has viewed.
- the other night I woke up because of a very loud, insistent pounding in my ears, accompanied by a headache. As I’m waking, I wonder where that noise is coming from. I am ready to holler at my neighbour across the road to turn down her radio. I then realize with concern, that it’s me. That noise is my pulse racing, making the same sound the wind turbines make, but much faster. If you can imagine the beat of “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones, that would be the speed of my heart beating. It was a pleasant very still night and I was actually having a pleasant dream.
- I just want to move.
- complete lack of energy I have on a daily basis. I feel as if I could sleep all day, every day, with no incentive to do anything at all. It seems like these turbines are draining the energy out of me
#119
6) [nearest turbine] [turbine] transformer station
10) [life altered] Here is our history. On April 20, 2005 we attended a public meeting at the [township] township hall to hear about the proposed installation of [wind company] transformer station. The members of the community asked the township council not to pass this installation. Our fears were for noise and health effects with such a an electrical installation so close to our home(490) metres. It was passed anyway.
[wind company] installed the first transformer and energized it on February 23, 2006. We are the adjoining property owners. For the next few days afer that date, we heard a loud, penetrating buzz/hum. We wondered what was the source of the noise. Gradually, we realized that it was the transformer. It seemed to make more noise in the evening and early morning hours. The sound was more extreme with any form of water vapour in the air, either rain, frost, or fog. The noise was heard inside our house with all the doors and windows closed. We found that we could not sleep for more than 30 or 40 minutes at a time, awakening over and over again to the sound of the transformer.
We issued many pleas to council and [wind company] for help, and attended meetings for over a year. We finally appealed to the Ministry of the Environment, and the transformer noise was found to be in excess of the legal limits. Finally they constructed a noise absorbing wall and earthen berm, topped with trees. This helped dim the noise a little, but it was still disturbing. We could not get away from the noise even in the refuge of our own home. We felt pressure on our ears, like an airplane take off. At times the intensity of the noise made my ears hurt and vibrate. We were constantly sleep deprived, exhausted and stressed. I awaken to find myself with the blankets over my head. I believe this is an unconscious action to protect myself from the effects of the noise.
The OMB hearing took place October 2007, and the original [brand] transformer was ordered to be replaced with a supposedly quieter [brand] brand. At this time a second transformer was allowed to be installed, also a [brand] model. During this time period, we co-operated with [company] Engineering to do noise recording testing inside our homes. The MOE abatement officer looked at these reports and concluded that the intrusive noise was in the low frequency range, 360 hz.
The second transformer was energized in February 2009.
The noise is still intrusive, but it is now coupled with a penetrating vibration in our home and even in our bodies. It is a terrible feeling. We have reported our distress multiple times to MOE and [wind company] via their noise reporting protocol telephone number. We have co-operated with [wind company] noise consultants [company] Engineering. They have done four season audits, first for one transformer, and now for the two of them. Our distress has not been heard, and their usual answer is “it’s in compliance”.
All of us here have suffered with many severe headaches, ringing ears, heart palpitations and unending fatigue.
With the stress and anxiety we suffer, we can hardly think straight and are irritable and short tempered with each other. Our nerves are frayed. When will there be some relief? Will it ever end? When will we ever get a good night’s sleep again?
In an effort to try and help ourselves, we had [name withheld] do an electrical assessment of our house. His graphs showed a great deal of “dirty electricity” coursing through our home. He likened it to living in a microwave. He stated: “This is a bad house, a very bad house.” He felt that we were sensitized to the electricity and that was contributing to our health issues.
We contacted Hydro One and they have installed monitors in our home on two different occasions. The first round of tests were inconclusive and we have not received any feedback from the second set.
Our anguish is great. We feel betrayed. There is no help. This is our home, our refuge, but we can hardly stand to be here.
#121
11) [pets and livestock] – The cattle became very aggressive when the wind turbines where putting out the power, and there was a noticeable amount of other problems
- We used to have cats but shortly after the turbines started up they disappeared with the odd stray only staying around for a short period of time.
- You expect to have mice on a farm, but they have even disappeared.
Date Tabulated: January 5, 2010:
#128
6) [nearest to property to] substation & powerlines
substation 390 meters, powerline approx 100 meters
grid – 100 meters
8) [health affected] substation & powerlines, yes
9) [hearing problems] more acute hearing making all environment very loud
[depression] I’m beginning to wonder if I am now in this category.
[approached doctor] – I have had my hearing tested as well as an MRI. There are no apparent problems
11) I have also spent many hours with the family doctor & a naturalpath regarding my daughter.
10) [life altered] [wind]farms – yes
We have had to relocate our family numerous times. Our family life no longer exists.
Animals:
Our residence/farm is worth nothing
Windfarm has taken over our lives, there is little social activity or enjoyment as everything is to the point of overwhelming.
We can no longer host friends or family at our home but must keep up a façade that all is well
We have no time to relax and unwind as we continue to deal with issues; (windfarm, legal, family).
the stress and anxiety is an everyday event with concerns over our children, pets and livestock
11) [change in pets/livestock since erection of] windfarms (substation/powerlines).
I have given away our catcannot provide safe housing. We gave away 4 yearlings (horses) can’t work with them due to their stress and our lack of time.
Date Tabulated: February 20, 2010:
#130
6) [distance from turbines] approx 400m but there are 10 of them within 1 mile of our home.
8) [health affected] YES – WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!
9) [symptoms] [palpitations] not sure, [excessive tiredness] I have trouble sleeping, [tinnitus] sometimes, I’ve just noticed it. [other] I don’t know if it’s palpatations or anxiety, but sometimes my heart races like it’s going to jump out of my chest.
10) [life altered]
- I now have great trouble getting to sleep in fact I now use sleeping pills, I never used to, EVER!!!
- I can no longer enjoy my home outdoors, There is a constant “buzzing” that I cannot escape. The further that I walk onto my vacant land, the closer I get to the neighbors tower – these towers make me feel constantly stressed and I always am anxious or have a feeling of anxiety.
- I worry about my plummeting real estate value, and if a bank will even renew my mortgage when its time.
- I’m in a position that if I complain, I fear that my property value will fall even further. [identifying comment left out]
- myself and other members of my family are now getting unexplained headaches, even my [age] year old daughter who has never had a headache prior to these towers coming online. I have a feeling of helplessness because I want to get away from the towers but we must remain due to the fact that we can’t afford to abandon our home and move.
11) Our dog is restless constantly pacing
- We have a lot of wildlife on our property, deer, turkey…- we rent our property to a bow (deer) hunter. He told me that he has never seen such few deer in all the years that he has been hunting here, – note that this is the first hunting season that the wind turbines were active.
Furthermore, a study could help determine if and where industrial wind power plants should be situated, address cumulative issues and ensure that the health and safety of rural residents is protected... so as to avoid this situation..
In Wisconsin, there is now a plan to enlist financial aid from the state to re-locate residents.
MALONE, Wis. (WFRV) Brown County will be asking for state aid to relocate residents who say they're becoming ill because of wind turbines.
Those residents say they've had to leave their homes after getting sick from low frequency noises. Now, the state legislature can either approve or deny the request for funding.
Residents living near an 88 turbine wind farm in Fond du Lac County are hopeful the decision will mean relief is also on the way, or at least a possibility. Many residents are complaining about similar problems. They claim there is constant noise generated from the turbines that keeps them up at night and even builds up pressure, giving them severe headaches.
We're told several people have moved out of their homes. They hope similar action can be taken to help them.
"It's about time somebody starts looking into this, finding out what they really do to people," says resident Joan Brusoe, who lives 1400 ft. from a turbine. Her neighbor, Larry Lamont, is 1100 ft. away from one: "They could mediate some of the problems these things are creating, that would help. I don't know if there is a total solution..."