By Henning Theorell, MD, Spec. Internal Medicine & Maria Vemdal, M.Sc..
Published in “Svensk Veterinärtidning” No 5 June 2024 Vol. 75
At a permaculture farm in Småland, Sweden, egg mortality has markedly increased since a new wind industry began operating only 1000 meters from the farm center. This is concerning given the massive rollout of wind power planned in southern Sweden. The farmers referenced in this article have tried to investigate the phenomenon to the best of their ability, but controlled studies and measurements are needed to better understand the causes. This article summarizes the studies already conducted in relevant research areas but primarily aims to highlight the importance of more controlled studies as soon as possible before the risks materialize and both wild and domestic poultry’s egg mortality becomes catastrophically high.
Research has shown that vibrations during days 5-8 of the development of chicken eggs can inhibit oxygen uptake in the allantois membranei. Laboratory experiments conducted in the USA in 1990 and 1994 have shown that vertical vibrations on chicken eggs increase mortality and malformations, especially at frequencies between 20-30 Hz and acceleration amplitudes of 0.25-1.5G. The same frequencies and amplitudes increase mortality by up to 48% in guinea fowl eggs.
It has been scientifically proven that noise and vibrations from wind turbines cause stress in various animals, evidenced by elevated cortisol levels in the serum and hair follicles of geese and badgers when they are close to wind turbinesxii xiii. It remains unclear whether this stress can be attributed to auditory perception affecting neural pathways leading to stress centers in the amygdala and hypothalamus/pituitary gland, or if it can be ascribed to ground vibrations. Reports indicate that badgers abandon their dens, moose and reindeer flee from wind industries during operation and return when the wind is still, and birds vacate areas with wind power installations, both domestically and internationally. A 2008 report on increasing egg mortality and malformations following the commissioning of a wind industry in Wisconsin suggests potential links between airborne wind turbine noise and/or ground vibrations from tower bases. This is further supported by WG Ackers’ compilation of international observations during 2016-2019, highlighting the impact of wind farms on human and animal health.
An Israeli company has successfully altered the sex ratio of chickens from 50/50 to 5 roosters and 95 hens using mRNA promoters and low-frequency sound during days 4-6 in the incubator. The impact of low-frequency sound on chromosomes is undeniable. Studies have shown that male Z chromosomes tend to accumulate more mutations compared to female W chromosomes”
At the time of writing, industries with much larger wind turbines than those currently operational are being established. The turbines planned for installation in the coming years are of the size 6-10 MW each, which will likely generate even stronger ground vibrations. It is important not to downplay the potential harm of wind power emissions to the biology of all living organisms, and thus interdisciplinary research collaboration is needed between acousticians, geotechnicians, medical doctors, veterinarians, ornithologists, infectious disease specialists, pathologists, and chromosome researchers.
Read the full study below.
Wind Concerns is a collaboration of citizens of the Lakeland Alberta region against proposed wind turbine projects.