Wind Turbine Syndrome: A Communicated Disease

Abstract

As governments around the world look for ways to curb fossil fuel emissions, more and more countries are adopting renewable energy sources. Wind power is one of the cheapest sources of renewable energy, and windfarms are often looked to as a solution. While generally welcomed in rural communities, there have been claims that wind turbines are responsible for a range of health problems. At last count an astonishing 247 symptoms had been attributed to wind turbines, from back pain and accelerated ageing to herpes and multiple sclerosis. Repeated reviews of the scientific evidence have found no grounds for these claims, yet they have continued to spread in some communities. Wind turbine syndrome shows all the hallmarks of a communicated disease: that is, an illness that is spread by people talking and writing write about it. In short: people are worrying themselves sick.