An analysis of self-reported sleep disturbance from nighttime wind turbine noise suggests minimal effects but highlights the need for standardization in research design

Journal Article

Title: An analysis of self-reported sleep disturbance from nighttime wind turbine noise suggests minimal effects but highlights the need for standardization in research design

Author:

Michaud, D.; Guay, M.; Keith, S.; Denning, A.; McNamee, J.

Publication Date:

January 15, 2025

Journal:

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

Volume:

157

Issue:

Pages:

275-287

Affiliation

Health Canada

Technology:

Wind Energy

Stressor:

Noise

Document Access

Website:

External Link

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Citation

Michaud, D.; Guay, M.; Keith, S.; Denning, A.; McNamee, J. (2025). An analysis of self-reported sleep disturbance from nighttime wind turbine noise suggests minimal effects but highlights the need for standardization in research design. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 157(1), 275-287. https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0034710

@article{Michaud-2025-,
author = {Michaud, D and Guay, M and Keith, S and Denning, A and McNamee, J},
title = {An analysis of self-reported sleep disturbance from nighttime wind turbine noise suggests minimal effects but highlights the need for standardization in research design},
journal = {The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America},
year = {2025},
month = {jan},
volume = {157},
number = {1},
pages = {275--287},
doi = {10.1121/10.0034710},
url = {https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/157/1/275/3331523/An-analysis-of-self-reported-sleep-disturbance},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Noise},
}

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TY - JOUR
TI - An analysis of self-reported sleep disturbance from nighttime wind turbine noise suggests minimal effects but highlights the need for standardization in research design
AU - Michaud, D
AU - Guay, M
AU - Keith, S
AU - Denning, A
AU - McNamee, J
T2 - The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
AB - The World Health Organization Environmental Noise Guidelines provide source-based nighttime sound level (Lnight) recommendations. For non-aircraft sources, the recommended Lnight is where the absolute prevalence of high sleep disturbance (HSD) equals 3%. The Guideline Development Group did not provide an Lnight for wind turbines due to inadequate data. In the current study, calculated outdoor wind turbine Lnight levels ranged from <20.5 to 41.5 dB(A). Between May and September 2013, questionnaires were completed by 606 males and 632 females, 18–79 years of age, randomly selected from households 0.25 to 11.22 km from operational wind turbines. When the source of sleep disturbance was unspecified, the mean prevalence of HSD was 13.3% overall and unrelated to Lnight (p = 0.53). As Lnight increased, identifying wind turbines as one of the causes of HSD increased from 0% below 20.5 dB(A) to 3.8% between 35.5–41.5 dB(A) (p = 0.01). The 3%HSD benchmark was observed where Lnight was 33.5 dB(A) [95% confidence interval (CI) 31.1–36.1 dB(A)]. Results affirm findings from Health Canada's Community Noise and Health Study of minimal impacts of wind turbines on sleep [Michaud et al. (2016a). “Effects of wind turbine noise on self-reported and objective measures of sleep,” Sleep 39(1), 97–109], yet noted uncertainties and limitations are discussed, including the suggestion that the HSD benchmark for wind turbines may be too low.
DA - 2025/01//
PY - 2025
VL - 157
IS - 1
SP - 275
EP - 287
UR - https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/157/1/275/3331523/An-analysis-of-self-reported-sleep-disturbance
DO - 10.1121/10.0034710
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Noise
ER -

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Abstract

The World Health Organization Environmental Noise Guidelines provide source-based nighttime sound level (Lnight) recommendations. For non-aircraft sources, the recommended Lnight is where the absolute prevalence of high sleep disturbance (HSD) equals 3%. The Guideline Development Group did not provide an Lnight for wind turbines due to inadequate data. In the current study, calculated outdoor wind turbine Lnight levels ranged from <20.5 to 41.5 dB(A). Between May and September 2013, questionnaires were completed by 606 males and 632 females, 18–79 years of age, randomly selected from households 0.25 to 11.22 km from operational wind turbines. When the source of sleep disturbance was unspecified, the mean prevalence of HSD was 13.3% overall and unrelated to Lnight (p = 0.53). As Lnight increased, identifying wind turbines as one of the causes of HSD increased from 0% below 20.5 dB(A) to 3.8% between 35.5–41.5 dB(A) (p = 0.01). The 3%HSD benchmark was observed where Lnight was 33.5 dB(A) [95% confidence interval (CI) 31.1–36.1 dB(A)]. Results affirm findings from Health Canada's Community Noise and Health Study of minimal impacts of wind turbines on sleep [Michaud et al. (2016a). “Effects of wind turbine noise on self-reported and objective measures of sleep,” Sleep 39(1), 97–109], yet noted uncertainties and limitations are discussed, including the suggestion that the HSD benchmark for wind turbines may be too low.