Toronto - The number of people in Ontario reporting adverse health affects due to wind turbines continues to rise. The new total is now 86 which is an additional 33 new victims.

This is a disturbing 62% increase from 53 as reported in the first WCO [Wind Concerns Ontario) community-based self reporting survey earlier this year. That survey was made public on April 22, 2009 by Dr. Robert McMurtry at the Standing Committee for the Green Energy Act.

Researchers and victims have reported altered living conditions and ill health. The average number of symptoms reported was 5. Sleep disturbance was the most common complaint. Other symptoms include inner ear problems, cardiac arrhythmias, headaches and mood disturbances.
Several suffered acute hypertensive episodes which are most concerning. Some have had to leave their homes in order to protect their health.

Victims describe disturbed living conditions, loss of quality of life and financial loss due to negative impact to the health of their families. There are still unanswered questions about children and pregnant women.

This community-based survey has filled a void due to the lack of a Canadian vigilance and surveillance program with regard to the impact of industrial wind turbines on human health. Modern industrial wind installations typically include large numbers of industrial scale wind turbines which stand 400+ feet in height. Some of these machines have been placed as close as 350 meters to homes, and some homes have as many as 1o turbines within 1000 meters. This is not the case in other countries such as Denmark even though it is a physically smaller country. Along with each turbine must be added the infrastructure of high voltage transformer stations and kilometers of transmission lines. Long-term surveillance of these complexes is required.

These new survey results are a startling cause for concern. Many more victims continue to come forward. More may still be sitting in silence due to non-disclosure agreements in leasing contracts with wind developers. While alarm now exists around the world with regard to this technology, the government of Ontario should not proceed with further wind development until authoritative guidelines based on the best available science are in place. The health and well-being of more people are potentially at risk.

The requirements at minimum are several:

1. Independent monitoring of
- dBA and dBC ( sound intensity or decibels)
- hertz or frequency (high, low, infra)
- time of exposure (cumulative effects)

2. Monitor wind installations at appropriate height/distance at property lines

3. Epidemiological studies of the population surrounding wind installations done annually (health surveys)

4. Clinical evaluation of victims

5. All information except medical records must be in the public domain.

Full results of the updated survey can be found at: http://windconcernsontario.wordpress.com/health-survey-information/

"We hear wind noise from turbines every evening...the setbacks are 800m, 1100m, 2000m, 1000m, 1500m, 2000m." ~Victim

"My various levels of gov't deserted me and ignore my concerns." ~Victim