FALMOUTH WIND TURBINES BREAK WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION NOISE GUIDELINES

The Town of Falmouth had noise studies done that used General Electric wind turbines. The turbines installed, Vestas V 82 commercial 1.65 megawatt turbines generate 110 decibels of noise. The increase is a total of 6 decibels higher than the GE turbines. Falmouth officials and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center have been aware since before the first wind turbine Falmouth Wind l that the turbines are too loud.

The 6 decibel additional increase in noise levels on Blacksmith Shop Road and other residential locations in Falmouth according to noise maps could bring the decibel levels near 50 decibels near the cut off speed of the current Vestas wind turbines installed.

The Town of Falmouth hid the 2010 noise letter warning for five years. On April 2, 2013 staff of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center sent a memo to the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. In the memo the MassCEC admits acoustic noise mistakes in the original Falmouth Wind l  noise test -----Guilty 

MassCEC Admits Falmouth Wind Turbine Noise Tests Mistakes April 2 2013

“The original MTC-commissioned feasibility study for Falmouth over-estimated the likely acoustic impact, that study did not include a detailed acoustic analysis”

World Health Organization 40 Decibels Noise Sleep Disturbance- Insomnia

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEALTH PROTECTION

Page XV

Based on the systematic review of evidence produced by epidemiological and experimental studies, the relationship between night noise exposure and health effects can be summarized as below.

Below the level of 30 dB night,outside, no effects on sleep are observed except for a slight increase in the frequency of body movements during sleep due to night noise. There is no sufficient evidence that the biological effects observed at the level below 40 dB night,outside are harmful to health.

However, adverse health effects are observed at the level above 40 dB night,outside , such as self-reported sleep disturbance, environmental insomnia, and increased use of somnifacient drugs and sedatives.

Health effects observed in the population:

30 to 40 dB A number of effects on sleep are observed from this range: body movements, awakening, self-reported sleep disturbance, arousals. The intensity of the effect depends on the nature of the source and the number of events. Vulnerable groups (for example children, the chronically ill and the elderly) are more susceptible. However, even in the worst cases the effects seem modest. Lnight,outside of 40 dB is equivalent to the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for night noise.

40 to 55 dB Adverse health effects are observed among the exposed population. Many people have to adapt their lives to cope with the noise at night. Vulnerable groups are more severely affected.

Above 55 dB The situation is considered increasingly dangerous for public health. Adverse health effects occur frequently, a sizeable proportion of the population is highly annoyed and sleep-disturbed. There is evidence that the risk of cardiovascular disease increases,.

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43316/E92845.pdf

“The Town has previously been provided with the Octave Band Data / Sound performance for the V82 turbine. This shows that the turbine normally operates at 103.2dB but the manufacturer has also stated that it may produce up to 110dB under certain circumstances.”



August 3, 2010
Mr. Gerald Potamis
WasteWater Superintendent
Town of Falmouth Public Works
59 Town Hall Square
Falmouth, MA 02540

RE: Falmouth WWTF Wind Energy Facility II “Wind II”, Falmouth, MA
Contract No. #3297

Dear Mr. Potamis,

Due to the sound concerns regarding the first wind turbine installed at the wastewater treatment facility, the manufacturer of the turbines, Vestas, is keen for the Town of Falmouth to understand the possible noise and other risks associated with the installation of the second wind turbine.

The Town has previously been provided with the Octave Band Data / Sound performance for the V82 turbine. This shows that the turbine normally operates at 103.2dB but the manufacturer has also stated that it may produce up to 110dB under certain circumstances. These measurements are based on IEC standards for sound measurement which is calculated at a height of 10m above of the base of the turbine.

We understand that a sound study is being performed to determine what, if any, Impacts the second turbine will have to the nearest residences. Please be advised that should noise concerns arise with this turbine, the only option to mitigate normal operating sound from the V82 is to shut down the machine at certain wind speeds and directions. Naturally this would detrimentally affect power production.

The manufacturer also needs confirmation that the Town of Falmouth understands they are fully responsible for the site selection of the turbine and bear all responsibilities to address any mitigation needs of the neighbors.

Finally, the manufacturer has raised the possibility of ice throw concerns. Since Route 28 is relatively close to the turbine, precautions should be taken in weather that may cause icing.

To date on this project we have been unable to move forward with signing the contract with Vestas. The inability to release the turbine for shipment to the project site has caused significant [SIC] delays in our project schedule. In order to move forward the manufacturer requires your understanding and acknowledgement of these risks. We kindly request for this acknowledgement to be sent to us by August 4, 2010, as we have scheduled a coordination meeting with Vestas to discuss the project schedule and steps forward for completion of the project.

Please sign in the space provided below to indicate your understanding and acknowledgement of this letter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.


Sincerely,

(Bruce Mabbott’s signature)
_________________
Bruce Mabbott Gerald Potamis
Project Manager Town of Falmouth


CC: Sumul Shah, Lumus Construction, Inc.
(Town of Falmouth’s Wind-1 and Wind-2 Construction contractor)

Stephen Wiehe, Weston & Sampson
(Town of Falmouth’s contract engineers)

Brian Hopkins, Vestas
(Wind-1, Wind-2’s turbine manufacturer, and also Webb/NOTUS turbine)

http://www.windaction.org/posts/41357-vestas-raises-concerns-about-turbine-noise-letter#.Ve9oyhFVikp