Ambrose, S.E. To ACNC in Support of Waubra Foundation
Stephen E. Ambrose, ASA, INCE
Noise Control Engineer & Principal Consultant
The Waubra Foundation recognized the significance of The Bruce Study within days of publication. These findings were similar to complaints reported by Australian neighbors living near wind turbines. The Waubra Foundation is a resource that serves “Public Good” in Australia and around the world.
Dear Commissioner Pascoe
I am an acoustic investigator and noise control engineer with more than 35 years’ experience performing community noise assessments and quieting industrial facilities. I am Board Certified by the Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE), and Full Member of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). I hold paramount public health, safety and wellbeing, and therefore my clients are good acoustic neighbors. My career began when acoustic observations were critical during sound measurements and essential for community noise assessments. Unattended acoustic instruments, noise models, and dB contour maps have no credibility when not connected to human responses.
Coauthor of “The Bruce MacPherson Infrasound and Low Frequency Noise Study”, written as a white paper to inform fellow acoustic and public health professionals. This study involved two experienced acousticians journeying to Falmouth Massachusetts (USA) to measure wind-turbine noise. We did not know that this would be a life changing experience, living as a wind turbine neighbor. The study house was 530-meters from a 1.65 MW turbine during moderate to strong wind speeds over a three- day weekend. Measured louder low frequencies indoors, pressure pulsations and level vs. time.
Physiological experiences included loss of well-being, persistent headache, feeling nausea, cognitive difficulty, spatial disorientation to name a few. Improved after leaving, however it took a month for full recovery at home. Worst symptoms correlated with wind-turbine at full power output.
The Waubra Foundation recognized the significance of The Bruce Study within days of publication. These findings were similar to complaints reported by Australian neighbors living near wind turbines. The Waubra Foundation is a resource that serves “Public Good” in Australia and around the world.
The Bruce Study confirmed by experience and measurements that wind turbines produce harmful effects. I disagree with this premise “to date there has been no rigorous independent scientific evidence …”. Wind turbine emissions need to witnessed, experienced and measured with proper instruments. Currently, wind turbine peer-reviews are based on reviewing documents that support wind turbines.
ACNC The should continue to support the Waubra Foundation as a Health Promotion Charity and recognize their commitment to protecting public health. Wind turbine science is in its infancy, more needs to be learned about the mechanisms contributing to adverse health impacts. Previously, cigarettes were once recommended by doctors (Lucky Strike – 1950’s), lead in paint, DDT. All of these are now considered harming public health.
I respectfully request that the ACNC continue to recognize the Waubra Foundation as a Health Promotion Charity. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen E. Ambrose, ASA, INCE, Board Certified
Principal Consultant
7 February 2015