|
1
|
Ellenbogen JM, Kellam CB, Hankard M. Noise-induced sleep disruption from wind turbines: scientific updates and acoustical standards. Sleep 2024; 47:zsad286. [PMID: 37942938 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Wind energy appears to place global environmental benefits against local human health, particularly sleep. The result is a significant challenge to wind-energy development for the achievement of large-scale alternative energy. Our purpose is to examine noise from wind turbines and its potential to disrupt sleep, to examine the human health literature addressing these concerns, and to provide insight into how developers and communities can employ these concepts to pursue wind energy without impacting human health. The latest and most rigorous research on noise from wind turbines points to healthy sleep, when turbines are sited reasonably. This includes audible noise, low-frequency noise, and infrasound. Recent advances in acoustical standards provide practical methods to ensure adherence to these scientific findings. There now exist key data concerning wind-turbine noise, and its impact on sleep. Knowing that information, and how to deploy it with modern engineering standards should simultaneously facilitate wind development and protect human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Colleen B Kellam
- Department of Aeronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Micic G, Zajamsek B, Lechat B, Hansen K, Scott H, Toson B, Liebich T, Dunbar C, Nguyen DP, Decup F, Vakulin A, Lovato N, Lack L, Hansen C, Bruck D, Chai-Coetzer CL, Mercer J, Doolan C, Catcheside P. Establishing the acute physiological and sleep disruption characteristics of wind farm versus road traffic noise disturbances in sleep: a randomized controlled trial protocol. SLEEP ADVANCES : A JOURNAL OF THE SLEEP RESEARCH SOCIETY 2023; 4:zpad033. [PMID: 37750160 PMCID: PMC10517905 DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Study Objectives Despite the global expansion of wind farms, effects of wind farm noise (WFN) on sleep remain poorly understood. This protocol details a randomized controlled trial designed to compare the sleep disruption characteristics of WFN versus road traffic noise (RTN). Methods This study was a prospective, seven night within-subjects randomized controlled in-laboratory polysomnography-based trial. Four groups of adults were recruited from; <10 km away from a wind farm, including those with, and another group without, noise-related complaints; an urban RTN exposed group; and a group from a quiet rural area. Following an acclimation night, participants were exposed, in random order, to two separate nights with 20-s or 3-min duration WFN and RTN noise samples reproduced at multiple sound pressure levels during established sleep. Four other nights tested for continuous WFN exposure during wake and/or sleep on sleep outcomes. Results The primary analyses will assess changes in electroencephalography (EEG) assessed as micro-arousals (EEG shifts to faster frequencies lasting 3-15 s) and awakenings (>15 s events) from sleep by each noise type with acute (20-s) and more sustained (3-min) noise exposures. Secondary analyses will compare dose-response effects of sound pressure level and noise type on EEG K-complex probabilities and quantitative EEG measures, and cardiovascular activation responses. Group effects, self-reported noise sensitivity, and wake versus sleep noise exposure effects will also be examined. Conclusions This study will help to clarify if wind farm noise has different sleep disruption characteristics compared to road traffic noise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gorica Micic
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
| | - Branko Zajamsek
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
| | - Bastien Lechat
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
| | - Kristy Hansen
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Australia
| | - Hannah Scott
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
| | - Barbara Toson
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
| | - Tessa Liebich
- Flinders University, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Australia
| | - Claire Dunbar
- Flinders University, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Australia
| | - Duc Phuc Nguyen
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Australia
| | - Felix Decup
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Australia
| | - Andrew Vakulin
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
- University of Sydney, NEUROSLEEP, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Australia
| | - Nicole Lovato
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
| | - Leon Lack
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
- Flinders University, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Australia
| | - Colin Hansen
- The University of Adelaide, School of Mechanical Engineering, Australia
| | - Dorothy Bruck
- Victoria University, Institute for Health and Sport, Australia
| | - Ching Li Chai-Coetzer
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
- Department of Respiratory, Sleep Medicine and Ventilation, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia
| | - Jeremy Mercer
- Department of Respiratory, Sleep Medicine and Ventilation, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health, Australia
| | - Con Doolan
- University of New South Wales, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Australia
| | - Peter Catcheside
- Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Schmidt CW. Unheard, Unfelt? Researchers Find No Evidence of Effects from Wind Turbine Infrasound. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:54001. [PMID: 37167484 PMCID: PMC10174642 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
|