Wind turbines are rapidly increasing in number. In this paper, the example of the province of Ontario, Canada will be used. The Global Wind Energy Council tracks the world wide installed wind turbines, showing a 10-fold increase in the 10 years from 2001 to 2011 to nearly 240,000 MW. In Ontario the wind turbine capacity has increased over one hundred-fold from about 15 MW in 2003 to about 1700 MW at the end of 2012, and anticipates to continue to more than triple the total wind capacity to 5811 MW by 2015. Health Canada has a study underway on the health effects of wind turbines that will not report before this increase in wind turbine capacity is made. This paper will look at the basis for regulation of the installed wind turbine base in Ontario and investigates consequences of the installations identified already.

This peer-reviewed paper published in the Journal of the College of Family Physicians of Canada examines the health impacts of industrial-scale wind turbines when sited in proximity of where people live. The introduction and conclusion of the paper is excerpted below. The full report can be accessed by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.

New scientific measurements reveal that industrial wind turbines (IWTs) in Ontario routinely exceed acceptable noise limits set by Ministry of Environment (MOE) guidelines. The data show that when wind turbines are present, the associated sound pressure levels are repeatedly higher than government guidelines permit during the day, evenings and late at night.

The Ontario government took almost 1½ years to respond to a freedom of information act regarding wind turbine noise emissions and the impact on the public. Despite claims that there were over 300 pages collected, a scant 26 pages were released and many of those pages are heavily redacted. But what was revealed was clear evidence that Ministry of Environment Provincial Officers knew of the adverse health effects of wind turbine noise years ago.

The Melancthon I and Melancthon II wind energy facilities (200 megawatts), known as Melancthon EcoPower Center, began commercial operation in March 2006. Since that time, numerious complaints of turbine noise and other adverse effects were reported; homes were abandoned. The Ontario government took almost 1½ years to respond to a freedom of information act to finally release this document, a draft abatement plan to address the noise. The document was never released to the public and the plan was never implemented. This document exposes that the Ontario Provincial government was well aware of the adverse effects created by the turbines years ago but chose to let people suffer.

These comments were submitted to Health Canada in reference to the design of the Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise and Health Study and to inform the Health Canada study team and others about the serious harm that has occurred to a family exposed to an industrial wind energy project. The full report can accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

This incriminating memorandum on wind turbine noise was prepared by the Ontario provincial government and obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. The memo was released by Wind Concerns Ontario's WINDYLEAKS campaign. The document, written in April 2010, shows that the McGuinty Liberals were well aware that noise from industrial wind turbines operating -- even in compliance with Ontario's wind turbine regulations -- were causing adverse effects on communities.

The siting of industrial wind turbines in Ontario has been based on predictive computer modelling. While there is ample evidence regarding adverse health effects, the conduct of human health studies to determine regulations for setbacks and noise levels that protect health is still lacking. The purpose of this document is to inform authorities and decision makers of new evidence, including articles published in peer reviewed scientific journals which advance knowledge on the topic of adverse health effects of industrial turbines.

Dr. Michael Nissenbaum M.D. submitted this affidavit detailing his study of adverse health impacts from industrial wind turbines before the Rural Municipalities of Martin and Moosomin in the Province of Sasktchewan. The proposed wind project is known as the Red Lily Wind Energy project.

This report outlines the acoustic and visual impacts of the Wolfe Island Wind Project on residents 2 miles (3.2 km) across the St. Lawrence River along the Tibbetts Point Road, Cape Vincent.