Wind Turbine Syndrome

Researchers at the Woolcock Institute conducted a world-first, double-blind, randomised crossover study to investigate whether infrasound from wind turbines causes health issues, commonly referred to as Wind Turbine Syndrome (WTS).

The study involved 37 healthy, noise-sensitive adults who each underwent three separate 72-hour stays in a soundproof sleep laboratory. During these stays, participants were exposed to three different sound conditions:

• simulated wind turbine infrasound (1.6–20 Hz at ~90 dB peak),

• sham infrasound (using the same equipment but producing no actual sound), and

• audible traffic noise, which served as a positive control.

The researchers measured a wide range of physiological and psychological outcomes, including sleep quality (using wake after sleep onset and EEG data), cardiovascular health, neurobehavioral performance, and subjective symptoms commonly associated with WTS.

The results showed no evidence that infrasound caused sleep disturbance, dizziness, nausea, or any other symptoms linked to WTS. In contrast, traffic noise did lead to measurable sleep disruption. Although minor physiological changes such as a slight reduction in systolic blood pressure and insulin levels were observed during infrasound exposure, these were not clinically significant.

The study supports the theory that WTS symptoms may be driven by nocebo effects—where individuals experience symptoms because they believe the exposure is harmful. Overall, the findings provide strong evidence that infrasound from wind turbines does not cause measurable health effects, helping to reassure communities living near wind farms and supporting the continued development of clean energy infrastructure.

Dr. Renzo Tonin and the Renzo Tonin & Associates team played a key role in the study by designing the custom audio system used to simulate wind turbine infrasound. Here's a summary of their contribution:

• Audio System Design: Dr. Tonin developed a system that could accurately reproduce the infrasound emitted by wind turbines. This system matched the audio pattern recorded from actual turbines.

• Simulation Parameters: The infrasound was played at a conservatively high level, equivalent to being just 390 meters away from a working wind turbine.

• Technical Precision: The system was capable of generating infrasound in the frequency range of 1.6–20 Hz at a sound level of approximately 90 dB peak re 20 μPa, which is measurable but inaudible to humans.

• Control Conditions: For the sham exposure, the same equipment was used but wired in antiphase, ensuring no infrasound was produced—this allowed for a double-blind comparison.

Additional information can be found here:

• Wind farm ‘noise’ not harmful

• The Health Effects of 72 Hours of Simulated Wind Turbine Infrasound: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Study in Noise-Sensitive, Healthy Adults