Australia gives USD 2.5m for research into wind farms' effect on health

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in Australia is awarding AUD 3.3 million (USD 2.5m/EUR 2.2m) in funding for research of the effects of wind farms on human health.

“Existing research in this area is of poor quality and targeted funding is warranted to support high quality, independent research on this issue,” said NHMRC CEO Anne Kelso.

A bit over AUD 1.94 million will go to the University of New South Wales, which will investigate whether exposure to infrasound causes health problems. Sleep quality, balance, mood, and cardiovascular health will all be measured.

A grant of nearly AUD 1.36 million has also been awarded to Flinders University of South Australia to directly evaluate the sleep and physiological disturbance characteristics of wind turbine noise, compared to traffic noise.

The results of these research projects will help Australia in developing policy and public health recommendations regarding wind farm projects. The grants come in response to the 2015 Targeted Call for Research into Wind Farms and Human Health.

(AUD 1 = USD 0.759/EUR 0.677)

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