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Colmenares-Quintero RF, Benavides-Castillo JM, Rojas N, Stansfield KE. Community perceptions, beliefs and acceptability of renewable energies projects: A systematic mapping study. Cogent Psychology 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2020.1715534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Natalia Rojas
- Technical Department, Aquatera Ltd., Old Academy Business Centre, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AW, UK
| | - Kim E. Stansfield
- Technical Department, University of Warwick, Coventry, Warwick, CV4 7AL, UK
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Bräuner EV, Jørgensen JT, Duun-Henriksen AK, Backalarz C, Laursen JE, Pedersen TH, Simonsen MK, Andersen ZJ. Long-term wind turbine noise exposure and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation in the Danish Nurse cohort. Environ Int 2019; 130:104915. [PMID: 31344645 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential health effects related to wind turbine noise (WTN) have received increased focus during the past decades, but evidence is sparse. We examined the association between long-term exposure to wind turbine noise and incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS First ever hospital admission of AF amongst 28,731 female nurses in the Danish Nurse Cohort were identified in the Danish National Patient register until ultimo 2013. WTN levels at residential addresses between 1982 and 2013 were estimated using the Nord2000 noise propagation model, as the annual means of Lden, Lday, Levening and Lnight at the most exposed façade. Time-varying Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the association between the 11-, 5- and 1-year rolling means of WTN levels and AF incidence. RESULTS 1430 nurses developed AF by end of follow-up in 2013. Mean (standard deviation) baseline residential noise levels amongst exposed nurses were 26.3 (6.7) dB and slightly higher in those who developed AF (27.3 (7.31) dB), than those who didn't (26.2 (6.6)). We observed a 30% statistically significant increased risk (95% CI: 1.05-1.61) of AF amongst nurses exposed to long-term (11-year running mean) WTN levels ≥20 dB(A) at night compared to nurses exposed to levels <20 dB(A). Similar effects were observed with day (HR 1.25; 95% CI: 1.01-1.54), and evening (HR 1.25; 95% CI: 1.01-1.54) noise levels. CONCLUSIONS We found suggestive evidence of an association between long-term exposure to WTN and AF amongst female nurses. However, interpretation should be cautious as exposure levels were low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira V Bräuner
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jeanette T Jørgensen
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Mette K Simonsen
- Diakonissestiftelsen, Frederiksberg, Denmark; The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Zorana J Andersen
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Centre for Epidemiological Research, Nykøbing F Hospital, Nykøbing F, Denmark.
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Poulsen AH, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Peña A, Hahmann AN, Nordsborg RB, Ketzel M, Brandt J, Sørensen M. Impact of Long-Term Exposure to Wind Turbine Noise on Redemption of Sleep Medication and Antidepressants: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Environ Health Perspect 2019; 127:37005. [PMID: 30864815 PMCID: PMC6768316 DOI: 10.1289/ehp3909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noise from wind turbines (WTs) is associated with annoyance and, potentially, sleep disturbances. OBJECTIVES Our objective was to investigate whether long-term WT noise (WTN) exposure is associated with the redemption of prescriptions for sleep medication and antidepressants. METHODS For all Danish dwellings within a radius of [Formula: see text] heights and for 25% of randomly selected dwellings within a radius of [Formula: see text] heights, we estimated nighttime outdoor and low-frequency (LF) indoor WTN, using information on WT type and simulated hourly wind. During follow-up from 1996 to 2013, 68,696 adults redeemed sleep medication and 82,373 redeemed antidepressants, from eligible populations of 583,968 and 584,891, respectively. We used Poisson regression with adjustment for individual and area-level covariates. RESULTS Five-year mean outdoor nighttime WTN of [Formula: see text] was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) = 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI]: 0.98, 1.33) for sleep medication and HR = 1.17 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.35) for antidepressants (compared with exposure to WTN of [Formula: see text]). We found no overall association with indoor nighttime LF WTN. In age-stratified analyses, the association with outdoor nighttime WTN was strongest among persons [Formula: see text] of age, with HRs (95% CIs) for the highest exposure group ([Formula: see text]) of 1.68 (1.27, 2.21) for sleep medication and 1.23 (0.90, 1.69) for antidepressants. For indoor nighttime LF WTN, the HRs (95% CIs) among persons [Formula: see text] of age exposed to [Formula: see text] were 1.37 (0.81, 2.31) for sleep medication and 1.34 (0.80, 2.22) for antidepressants. CONCLUSIONS We observed high levels of outdoor WTN to be associated with redemption of sleep medication and antidepressants among the elderly, suggesting that WTN may potentially be associated with sleep and mental health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3909.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslak Harbo Poulsen
- Diet, Genes and Environment, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole Raaschou-Nielsen
- Diet, Genes and Environment, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Alfredo Peña
- DTU Wind Energy, Department of Wind Energy, Technical University of Denmark, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Andrea N. Hahmann
- DTU Wind Energy, Department of Wind Energy, Technical University of Denmark, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Matthias Ketzel
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Global Center for Clean Air Research (GCARE), University of Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Jørgen Brandt
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Mette Sørensen
- Diet, Genes and Environment, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Natural Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
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Freiberg A, Schefter C, Girbig M, Murta VC, Seidler A. Health effects of wind turbines on humans in residential settings: Results of a scoping review. Environ Res 2019; 169:446-463. [PMID: 30530085 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As the global number of wind turbines has increased steadily in recent years, as has the number of studies about putative health effects in residential settings, it is the review purpose to give an overview of the characteristics and methodologies of the scientific literature around the topic in order to identify research gaps and to derive implications for research and practice. Additionally, study findings from higher-quality observational studies as well as results that seem to be of interest for the scientific and political debate are presented. METHODS The scoping review was conducted following systematic review methods. Comprehensive literature searches were carried out in several databases, and with extensive hand searches. All review steps were carried out in parallel by two reviewers or by one reviewer and in duplicate checked by another reviewer. The following important methodological criteria were investigated: Reporting, ethical aspects, generalization, selection bias, information bias, confounder bias. Findings from observational studies without a selection bias, information bias, and confounder bias are presented. RESULTS 84 articles, that varied significantly in methods and outcomes assessed, met the inclusion criteria. Multiple cross-sectional studies reported that wind turbine noise is associated with noise annoyance, which is moderated by several variables such as noise sensitivity, attitude towards wind turbines, or economic benefit. Wind turbine noise is not associated with stress effects and biophysiological variables of sleep. Results on the impact of wind turbine noise on sleep disburbance, quality of life, and mental health problems differed among cross-sectional studies. There were few studies that addressed the potential impact of turbine noise on clinically apparent health outcomes. There were also few studies on visual risk factors or infrasound exposure. No literature was identified regarding low-frequency noise, electromagnetic radiation, and ice throw. CONCLUSIONS There is an extensive and diverse body of evidence around health impacts of wind turbines in residential settings, that increased sharply since 2010, showing particularly noise consequences concerning increased noise annoyance with its complex pathways; no relationship between wind turbine noise and stress effects and biophysiological variables of sleep; and heterogeneous findings concerning sleep disturbance, quality of life, as well as mental health problems. Research gaps concern the complex pathways of annoyance, the examination of clinically apparent health outcomes in comparison with non-exposed residents, an objective investigation of visual wind turbine features, the interaction between all wind turbine exposures, and epidemiological observational studies on field low-frequency and infrasound from wind turbines. Future research needs thorough high-quality and prospective study designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Freiberg
- Boysen TU Dresden Graduate School, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany; Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Christiane Schefter
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Maria Girbig
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Vanise C Murta
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Andreas Seidler
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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Freiberg A, Schefter C, Hegewald J, Seidler A. The influence of wind turbine visibility on the health of local residents: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2019; 92:609-628. [PMID: 30673837 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-019-01403-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The health effects of visible wind turbine features on residents were investigated. Further, it was examined, if visual annoyance has an influence on residents' health, and if wind turbine visibility impacts residents' health independently of or in combination with acoustical aspects. METHODS Medical databases, Google Scholar, public health institutions, and reference lists were searched systematically (PROSPERO registry number: CRD42016041737). Two independent reviewers screened titles/abstract and full texts, extracted data, and critically appraised the methodology of included studies. Study findings were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS Seventeen studies from 19 publications of varying methodological quality were included (two cohort studies, fifteen cross-sectional studies). The pooled prevalence of high annoyance due to altered views and shadow flicker was 6% each. The results of other health effects were inconsistent, with some indications showing that direct wind turbine visibility increases sleep disturbance. Annoyance by direct visibility, shadow flicker, and blinking lights was significantly associated with an increased risk for sleep disorders. One study indicated reactions to visual wind turbine features may be influenced by acoustical exposures. CONCLUSIONS In interpreting the results, the differing methodological quality of the included studies needs to be considered. Direct and indirect wind turbine visibility may affect residents' health, and reactions may differ in combination with noise. Further, annoyance by wind turbine visibility may interact as mediator between visual exposures and the health of local residents. To confirm the results, more high-quality research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Freiberg
- Boysen TU Dresden Graduate School, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany.,Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christiane Schefter
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Janice Hegewald
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Andreas Seidler
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
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Bräuner EV, Jørgensen JT, Duun-Henriksen AK, Backalarz C, Laursen JE, Pedersen TH, Simonsen MK, Andersen ZJ. Long-term wind turbine noise exposure and incidence of myocardial infarction in the Danish nurse cohort. Environ Int 2018; 121:794-802. [PMID: 30336413 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence supports the concept that traffic noise exposure leads to long-term health complications other than annoyance, including cardiovascular disease. Similar effects may be expected from wind turbine noise exposure, but evidence is sparse. Here, we examined the association between long-term exposure to wind turbine noise and incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS We used the Danish Nurse Cohort with 28,731 female nurses and obtained data on incidence of MI in the Danish National Patient and Causes of Death Registries until ultimo 2013. Wind turbine noise levels at residential addresses between 1982 and 2013 were estimated using the Nord2000 noise propagation model, as the annual means of a weighted 24-hour average (Lden) at the most exposed façade. Time-varying Cox proportional hazard regression was used to examine the association between the 11-, 5- and 1-year rolling means prior to MI diagnosis of wind turbine noise levels and MI incidence. RESULTS Of 23,994 nurses free of MI at cohort baseline, 686 developed MI by end of follow-up in 2013. At the cohort baseline (1993 or 1999), 10.4% nurses were exposed to wind turbine noise (≥1 turbine within a 6000-m radius of the residence) and 13.3% in 2013. Mean baseline residential noise levels among exposed nurses were 26.3 dB, higher in those who developed MI (26.6 dB) than among those who didn't develop MI (26.3 dB). We found no association between wind turbine noise and MI incidence: adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing nurses with 11-years mean residential noise levels of <21.5 dB, 21.5-25.4 dB, 25.4-29.9 dB, and >29.9 dB, to non-exposed nurses were 0.89 (0.64-1.25), 1.20 (0.82-1.77), 1.38 (0.95-2.01), and 0.88 (0.53-1.28), respectively. Corresponding HR (95% CI) for the linear association between 11-year mean levels of wind turbine noise (per 10 dB increase) with MI incidence was 0.99 (0.77-1.28). Similar associations were observed when considering the 5- and 1-year running means, and with no evidence of dose-response. CONCLUSIONS The results of this comprehensive cohort study lend little support to a causal association between outdoor long-term wind-turbine noise exposure and MI. However, there were only few cases in the highest exposure groups and our findings need reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira V Bräuner
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Juliane Marie Center, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jeanette T Jørgensen
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Mette K Simonsen
- Diakonissestiftelsen, Frederiksberg, Denmark; The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Zorana J Andersen
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Centre for Epidemiological Research, Nykøbing F Hospital, Denmark.
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Jalali L, Nezhad-Ahmadi MR, Gohari M, Bigelow P, McColl S. Author response: Short-Communication: Revisiting conclusions of the report titled "The impact of psychological factors on self-reported sleep disturbance among people living in the vicinity of wind turbines by Jalali et al.", published in Environmental Research, Volume 148, July 2016, 401-410. Environ Res 2017; 155:403-405. [PMID: 28249689 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Jalali
- University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Mahmood Gohari
- University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philip Bigelow
- University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steve McColl
- University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Andersen N, Eriksson O, Hillman K, Wallhagen M. Wind Turbines’ End-of-Life: Quantification and Characterisation of Future Waste Materials on a National Level. Energies 2016; 9:999. [DOI: 10.3390/en9120999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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