ID: 19
Presenting Author: Olivia Roy-Malo
Status: pending
This poster presents findings from a report by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec on the potential health effects of wind turbines and associated public health concerns.
The Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) is an expertise and reference centre in public health. Its mission is to support Québec’s Minister of Health and Social Services, regional public health authorities, and health and social services institutions in carrying out their public health responsibilities.
Multiple wind farms projects are currently in a planning, construction or exploitation phase in Québec. In 2024, the INSPQ published a systematic review of the scientific literature on the potential health effects of wind turbines and their implications for public health. The report explored the relationship between the wind energy industry and the health of nearby communities, as well as the health of workers involved in these activities. Seven themes were addressed: social impacts and social acceptability, landscape, shadow flicker, electromagnetic fields, noise, drinking water, and occupational health.
This poster presents these seven aspects and highlights key messages on the matter. Annoyance and impacts on the quality of life emerged as the most prominent effects. Those are influenced by a variety of factors, including personal and social factors, exposure levels, contextual elements, etc. Establishing a socially acceptable distance in consultation with host communities and taking into account local particularities, could help mitigate the negative effects of wind farm development and enhance its positive outcomes.
Olivia Roy-Malo, Ph.D, is a scientific advisor in environmental and social impact assessments at the Institut de santé publique du Québec. Her work is informed by her background in social anthropology
Coauthor 1: Emmanuelle Bouchard-Bastien
Coauthor 2: Mathieu Gauthier
Coauthor 3: Katerine Girard
Coauthor 4: Géraldine Patey
Coauthor 5: Stéphanie Potvin