Wind turbine noise emissions listed among concerns for modernization of radiation emitting devices legislation


March 26, 2021
Health Canada released an update today on progress toward “modernization” of the Radiation Emitting Devices Act or REDA.
A consultation process was held last year in which the public and stakeholders could submit opinions and recommendations. Wind Concerns Ontario submitted a document which gave an overview of wind turbine proliferation in Ontario, and resulting complaints about noise and vibration.
Health Canada received 20 submissions from a variety of participants including interest groups and professional associations.
“Although many of the special interest groups and individuals expressed general support for strengthening the provisions of REDA,” Health Canada said,  “concerns were raised in relation to the application of REDA to address noise emissions from wind turbines. Respondents expressed a desire to ensure that the provisions of REDA, specifically the general prohibition and notification requirements, apply to wind turbines as well as other products that emit tonal infrasound.”
Wind Concerns Ontario referred to numerous federal documents including the Health Canada wind turbines and noise study published in 2014 and the 2015 Council of Canadian Academies report, which both acknowledged problems with wind turbine noise emissions. Current protocols for monitoring noise from the turbines do not capture the full range of emissions, the Council noted.
Wind Concerns Ontario said:

There are processes in place for the people of Canada to report adverse reactions or adverse effects from the use of medications and medical devices, and to report problems with machinery or other equipment that pose a risk to health. In the case of wind turbines in Ontario, there have been thousands of reports of problems with exposure to wind turbine noise emissions.

The REDA must be employed to halt the risk to human health.

This is particularly important now as well, as the federal government seeks to encourage an expansion in development of renewable energy, which may mean the planning and construction of more wind power facilities. …

It has been a heartbreaking and frustrating exercise reading reports on wind turbine noise emissions and attendant health impacts filed by the people of Ontario who thought their government would really protect them.

Health Canada says the comments are under review and may result in some revisions to the proposed legislation.
See the Health Canada update here: Modernization of the Radiation Emitting Devices Act (REDA) 2020 Consultation – Summary of Results – Canada.ca
See the Wind Concerns Ontario document here: Comment to Health Canada REDA-September 10-2

What's your reaction?
0Cool0Upset0Love0Lol

6 Comments

  • Michael Jankowski
    Posted March 26, 2021 3:46 pm 0Likes

    Cautiously optimistic. I continue to state that the term “noise” is subjective. Its use implies that the sound is unwanted. To employ a term which properly includes infrasound, which cannot be heard and therefore may not be subjective – I recommend the term “Sound”.

  • Richard Mann
    Posted March 26, 2021 5:21 pm 0Likes

    Wind turbines need to stop due to documented, ongoing, and cumulative health harm from infra sound.
    Please see the following talk,
    September 12, 2019. University of Waterloo.
    Mariana Alves-Pereira (Lisbon, Portugal). “Infrasound and Low Frequency Noise: Physics & Cells, History & Health”.
    Livestream:
    https://livestream.com/itmsstudio/events/8781285
    Despite repeated attempts to contact government, no one has responded to my requests.

  • Mark Twichell
    Posted March 26, 2021 9:18 pm 0Likes

    The terms “noise” and “sound’ are not entirely appropriate in describing infrasonic emissions because they both imply auditory perception related to “hearing”. WT infrasound is sensed by means inclusive of the auditory pathway, as per Dr. Salt. But perception can also occur through pressure sensitive organs elsewhere in the body. This form of acoustic energy needs to be recognized by Health Canada, and a dose response curve should be developed in the context of distance and percentage of affected individuals.

  • Stan Thayer
    Posted March 27, 2021 3:20 pm 0Likes

    Follow up to Mark.
    I may not know the long words used to explain the sensations you mentioned but,,,I have stood beside operating wind turbines that cause my legs to flinch similar to getting tapped by a doctor’s triangular knee hammer.
    If there is no word lets call it, “Stanshake”.
    Stan

  • Sommer
    Posted March 31, 2021 6:55 pm 0Likes

    Health Canada needs to acknowledge the harm to health for people whose homes are surrounded by arrays/ clusters of turbines. In this situation acoustic pulsations intersect and amplify the harmful impact.

Add Comment

© Copyright 2022 | WCO | Wind Concerns Ontario

to top