Infrasound: dispute over wind power risks

Infrasound: open letter and scientific criticism

Maurice Forgeng, EPOCH TIMES

The debate about wind power is taking on a new dimension. In an open letter of protest to the German Environment Agency (UBA), the Deutsche Schutz-Gemeinschaft Schall für Mensch und Tier e.V. (DSGS, German association for protection from noise for humans and animals) warns of health hazards from infrasound emitted by ever larger wind turbines. While the agency still sees no reliable evidence of a health hazard, the case is now to be examined at EU level.

The criticism centres on the infrasound produced by wind turbines – low-frequency sound waves below 20 hertz that are inaudible to the human ear. They arise when rotor blades pass the tower and generate pressure pulses. Measurements show characteristic periodic signals with fundamental frequencies below 1 hertz, as well as harmonics. Unlike diffuse natural infrasound – from wind or the sea, for example – the sound produced by wind turbines is said to be pulse-like and regular.

The DSGS argues that the current assessment practice is inadequate. In particular, orientation to the acoustic threshold of perception and the usual dB(A) weighting do not adequately capture the inaudible frequency range. It calls for a differentiated assessment on an unweighted dB(Z) basis and a moratorium on the further expansion of large wind turbines of conventional design.

Medical arguments and international studies

Medically, the argument is based, among other things, on research into mechanosensitive ion channels, so-called PIEZO channels. These occur in blood vessels, organs and the brain and react to mechanical stimuli. Representatives of the DSGS point out that permanent exposure to infrasound could theoretically promote functional disorders, microcirculation problems or neuroinflammatory processes.

Symptoms mentioned include sleep disorders, headaches, changes in blood pressure, concentration problems and cardiac arrhythmias. Children in sensitive phases of development and pregnant women are said to be particularly at risk. Animal reactions are also cited: behavioural changes in livestock, reduced milk yield, falling reproduction rates or deterrent effects on wild animals.

International researchers support the call for further examination. Studies from Sweden and France question the current calculation methods for large wind turbines and point to possible systematic underestimation of sound pressure levels. A potential propagation radius of up to 10 or 15 kilometres is also being discussed. With the trend towards 7-megawatt turbines, range and intensity could increase further.

The UBA’s position and the political dimension

The German Environment Agency disagrees. In its assessment, there is no reliable scientific evidence that infrasound from wind turbines has a damaging effect at the cellular level. The pressure or shear forces generated by external sources are said to be well below those generated by the body’s own processes such as heartbeat, breathing or blood pressure. In addition, series of measurements show that natural wind often produces stronger infrasound components than the turbines themselves. According to the agency, it is not aware of any cases of health damage with a proven causal link.

The dispute thus touches on a central precautionary principle: how should one act in the face of scientific uncertainty? In its 2021 climate protection ruling, the German Federal Constitutional Court emphasised the legislator’s particular duty of care in the event of possible serious or irreversible harm. This is precisely what the DSGS invokes.

Now attention is turning to Brussels. The EU Environment Committee has received scientific papers on the subject, and the Commission is to issue an opinion. At the same time, the EU is pursuing ambitious expansion targets for wind energy. This raises not only a technical but a fundamental question: how are energy policy, health protection and scientific evidence weighed against each other?

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The technology section of Epoch Times regularly reports on current developments in energy, digitalisation and innovation – with a critical eye on opportunities, risks and technological trends in everyday life. Maurice Forgeng is one of the active editors in this section.

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