Analysis of noise generated by wind turbines with reference to other low frequency noise sources and their possible impact on human health
Objectives A problem currently faced in the assessment of human exposure to the external environment concerns sources of noise with significant energy found in the range of infrasound and low sound frequencies. This paper presents an analysis of selected low-frequency noise (LFN) sources in order to...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
2025-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ijomeh.eu/Analysis-of-noise-generated-by-wind-turbines-with-reference-to-other-low-frequency,200587,0,2.html |
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| Summary: | Objectives
A problem currently faced in the assessment of human exposure to the external environment concerns sources of noise with significant
energy found in the range of infrasound and low sound frequencies. This paper presents an analysis of selected low-frequency noise (LFN)
sources in order to demonstrate the problem of the potential exposure of humans residing in their vicinity. There are numerous machines in industry
that emit LFN, including infrasound, such as ventilation systems, industrial fans, air and exhaust transfer systems, means of transport
and other objects that generate secondary noise, such as acoustic screens. How wind turbine noise differs from noise generated by other sources
is a key question.
Material and Methods
There are different measurement approaches concerned with noise monitoring in outdoor environment.
For different reasons the measurements are performed at different heights: 4.0 m, 1.5 m, on the ground surface and others. In order to
properly identify low frequency noise sources apart from measurement systems for registering sound signals vibration methods might be utilized.
Results
Various types of low-frequency and infrasound noise sources were analyzed in this paper in order to verify the hypothesis concerning
the different character of LFN generated by wind turbines. They do not constitute sound sources that generate LFN of higher levels than
other sources of this type.
Conclusions
The performed measurements and their analysis revealed that sources of low-frequency and infrasound
noise can be found in the vicinity of residential areas, and the residents themselves are unaware of them and consequently do not report the inconvenience
related to their emission. Wind turbines are perceived unfavorably by a part of society not only due to their noise, analyzed levels
were well below ISO 226 and Møller and Pedersen thresholds, but probably because of other negative aspects such as shadow flicker, modulation
or reasons of aesthetics. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(2):122–34 |
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| ISSN: | 1232-1087 1896-494X |