Environmental Health: Wind Turbines & Radiation

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the primary association found in the Wind Turbine Health Study related to wind turbine noise levels?

Decreased risk of chronic illnesses

Heightened sleep quality

Increased blood pressure

Increased levels of annoyance (correct)

Which health outcomes were self-reported in the Wind Turbine Health Study?

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Hearing loss and vision impairment

Perceived stress and overall quality-of-life (correct)

Respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions

What is characteristic of ionizing radiation as described in the content?

It has lower energy than non-ionizing radiation.

It can change atoms into charged particles. (correct)

It includes radio waves and visible light.

It causes molecules to vibrate.

Which of the following symptoms has been reported by individuals exposed to electromagnetic radiation?

Nausea and vertigo Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following devices does NOT typically emit RF radiation?

Wired desktop computers Signup and view all the answers

What factor cannot be ruled out as a possible explanation for increased symptom reports linked to cell phone usage?

Nocebo effect Signup and view all the answers

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, what classification is given to electromagnetic fields (EMF)?

Class 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans Signup and view all the answers

Which health concern is associated with the operation of wind turbines and involves moving shadows?

Shadow flicker Signup and view all the answers

What type of hazard is posed by ice that forms on wind turbine blades?

Physical hazard from ice throw Signup and view all the answers

What is the main composition of natural gas as a fossil fuel?

Mixture of hydrocarbons such as methane and propane Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the high level of local opposition to wind energy in Ontario?

Reported health concerns and symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Which frequency range is categorized as infrasound?

0-20 Hz Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of establishing setback distances for wind turbines in Ontario?

To protect public health and safety from noise and structural hazards Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum sound limit at the nearest residence from a wind turbine according to Ontario regulation?

40 dB Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the contribution of wind energy to Canada's electricity needs?

Wind energy comprises around 6% of Canada’s electricity demand Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Part 1: Pollution in the Energy Sector: Hydraulic Fracking and Wind Turbines

Wind turbines use large towers with rotating blades to generate electricity.
A video is available at a given URL.
There is overall high support for wind energy in Ontario (~89%), but local opposition is strong and has led to many legal appeals and lawsuits due to health concerns.
Hydraulic fracking is a method to extract natural gas from unconventional rock formations.
Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons (e.g., methane, ethane, propane) and can include impurities (e.g., sulfur, CO2).
Declining conventional natural gas deposits have led to increased extraction from unconventional deposits.
Conventional gas is extracted with a single vertical well from porous and permeable geological formations.
Unconventional gas is extracted using horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) from low permeability geological layers.
Shale gas is a type of unconventional natural gas, primarily composed of methane, found in shale rock formations 1-3 km below the surface.

Part 2: Remediation and Moving Forward

Pollution remediation involves the removal of pollutants (chemical substances and/or energy) that negatively impact the environment.
Remediation often targets soils, sediments, and water courses.
Many factors must be considered when creating a suitable remediation strategy, including remediation goals, risk management, sustainable development, stakeholders' views, cost-benefit ratio, and technological suitability.
Case studies exist; London, UK is one example.
Specific examples include:
- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2010): oil-degrading bacteria aided cleanup.
- Butte, MT: copper mining led to toxic dust and water issues with very costly remediation.
- Saint John's Marsh Creek (New Brunswick): successful remediation.
Ocean microplastic remediation includes laundry filters with a water outflow and drum.
Further resources are available via URLs.
Microplastics are a source of pollution.
- Microplastics come in many sizes (micro, meso, macro, mega).
- They are found in various sources.
- Microplastics are often found in bottled water.
- Microplastics come from multiple sources, including textiles, tires, and personal care products. They comprise 5.25 trillion particles, weighing nearly 270, 000 tons in the world’s oceans, moving with surface currents.
- Legislation, products design changes, changing behaviors, and more research is necessary to address the issue.
Water treatment isn’t 100% efficient in removing microplastics.
Anthropogenics are a major source of pollution.
The air quality can be impacted by shale gas.
- Various pollutants are generated in each production stage, including criteria air pollutants, crystalline silica, hydrogen sulphide, methane, CO2, and radon.
- Point, transportation, fugitive, and area sources create problems.
- Diesel exhaust and PM can be impacted.
- Flowback fluids emit air toxins, including VOCs, methane, and radon. The gas portion may be vented or flared off.
Air Quality during gas production:
- Pressures and heat separate the gas from produced water and liquid hydrocarbons.
- VOCs and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, & Xylene) are created.
- Storage of water and hydrocarbons can cause “fugitive” emissions.
- Pollution depends on both the type of shale gas and weather conditions.
Drinking water contamination is a possible outcome for shale gas extraction.
- Spills, underground migration of liquids/gases, leaks, and inadequate wastewater treatment can cause contamination.
- US studies show higher levels of contamination for homes closer to production sites.
Public health implications of shale gas extraction: concerns are related to factors like the relative proximity of communities to extraction sites, pathways of exposure (air, water, seismic activity), and other possible impacts.
Geological formations.
Induced seismic activity can occur from shale gas production and deep-well injection, including minor, injection-induced "micro-earthquakes".
- Stress on the ground from these actions can be triggered, including changes.
- Moderate or larger earthquakes have occurred.
  -More research is needed for potential issues.
Other community & health impacts from communities and health factors may impact the environment, noise pollution, occupational health, psychosocial health, and indigenous health/communities. Issues may occur.
Economic issues like road infrastructure and jobs can be positive, but other issues may negatively impact ecosystems.
Some studies have linked self-reported respiratory or headache symptoms to proximity to shale gas extraction.
Wind turbine setbacks were established to protect public health from noise and structural hazards (550 meters minimum, and increasing with the number of turbines.)
Noise and Sound effects are related to wind turbines, and loud or prolonged noises can be harmful.
It includes community annoyance and sleep disturbances.
Sound is energy in the form of airborne vibrations or pressure waves.
Frequency of sound is the number of sound waves in a second.
Sound is felt as pressure; decibels (dB) report loudness. Wind turbines create noise due to parts moving, and air displacement.
Wind turbine health studies involved in-person surveys of households.
Objectives measured outcomes, like hair cortisol levels, blood pressure, and sleep quality.
Many hours of data were gathered to assess noise levels; a, dBA, and infrasound were considered.
About 79% of homes participated.
Self-reported health outcomes studied include sleep disturbance, illness (dizziness, tinnitus, migraines, headaches), chronic conditions, perceived stress, overall quality of life, and annoyance.
Annoyance was the only measure correlating with increasing noise.
Additional factors can impact annoyance (visual perception, beliefs about intrusiveness, lack of direct economic benefit)
Electromagnetic Energy: the spectrum covers a wide range of radiation frequencies.
- Ionizing radiation changes atoms to ions, while non-ionizing radiation causes molecule vibrations (e.g., emitted from cell phones, Wi-Fi, and smart meters).
- A variety of symptoms have been correlated to electromagnetic energy exposure. -Numerous studies have not shown a relationship between RF exposure and symptoms, but there can be a nocebo effect.
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
- Sources of EMF around wind farms include grid lines, turbine generators, transformers, and underground cables.
- IARC categorizes EMF as a potential human carcinogen.
- Consistent with other studies, a Ontario study found low EMF levels compared to common household exposures associated with wind turbines.
Other Health/Safety Concerns:
- Shadow flicker from rotating blades in sunny conditions; study found annoyance and possible distraction hazard.
- Ice throw and shed can present physical hazards.
- Structural collapse and blade failure can present potentially fatal hazards.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores the health impacts associated with wind turbine noise, electromagnetic radiation, and other environmental hazards. Test your knowledge on the relevant studies, health outcomes, and associated risks of these technologies. It also delves into public perceptions and the safety of energy sources.