Windmills & Health Problems

Wind energy has been around since ancient times when men first set sail. Windmills, or wind turbines, now generate more electricity than any other form of renewable energy. Some people living near wind turbines have reported health problems ranging from dizziness and headaches to cardiovascular disorders. However, no conclusive scientific data is available to support the claim that wind turbines or windmills are hazardous to human health.

Considerations

• According to the World Health Organization, people living near wind turbines have been known to experience fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, depression, anxiety and other mood disorders, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal disorders, impaired immune system function and a higher risk of mortality. Dr. Nina Pierpoint, author of "Wind Turbine Syndrome: A Report on a Natural Experiment," has labeled these symptoms as wind turbine syndrome.

Evidence

• Close-up view of wind turbine

  There is no definitive scientific proof that living near a windmill or wind turbine results in health problems. Europeans have lived near more than 50,000 wind turbines for more than 30 years, and the majority have not reported ill effects. The same is true for Americans living near more than 30,000 windmills in the U.S. Wind turbines emit noises similar in volume to a washing machine that can be heard within a short distance.

Significance

• Wind farm

  According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, wind energy is one of the world's fastest-growing forms of electricity generation. Commercial wind energy systems are installed in 36 states, serving 9 million homes, resulting in the elimination of 62 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. Of all the renewable energy sources, wind power generates the most electricity.

History

• Vintage windmill.

  Mankind has harnessed the power of wind since the first ship raised a sail. Wind power achieved notoriety in the U.S. between 1870 and 1930 when farmers erected windmills to pump water. Electric wind turbines were introduced in the 1920s. Interest in wind power then waned until the energy crisis of the 1970s, when the U.S. Department of Energy increased funding for large wind turbine design. Since then, tax credits, increasing fossil fuel cost, concerns over nuclear power and environmental awareness have reinvigorated wind power technology.

Function

• Wind generating electricity

  A wind turbine transforms the wind's kinetic energy into mechanical power, which can be used for a specific task (such as pumping water) or a generator can convert this energy into electricity. In a group of wind turbines, winds turn the blades and the blades spin a shaft that is connected to a generator. The electrical power is then transmitted throughout the utility grid via distribution lines.