ERO #013-3800 To ERO 1 - 6…

ERO #013-3800
To ERO 1 - 6 Proposal #013-4040 January 17, 2019
“What you can’t hear can’t hurt you“, is no longer true. Those of us trying to live peacefully in rural Ontario have known this fact since unwanted Industrial Wind Turbines have moved in as our neighbours. We could only predict what effects would befall us, but we could not PROVE it had happened at any Environmental Tribunal Hearing. Only 15 days were allowed to Appeal against any Approval of a Wind Farm Proponent’s Application to proceed to construction.
All Ontario Regulations call for Sound Measurements to comply with dBA readings, which immediately disqualify anything below the auditory range of 20 hertz known as Infrasound and/or Low Frequency Noise (LFN). All opposing these Applications could only say that ‘it is known that 5 – 20% of the population will be adversely affected by the IWT’s as close as 550 metres as well as kilometres away’.
There was no preventative approach offered by the MOECC, the Ministry of Health, the local Medical Officer of Health, or our local Township – all who have the responsibility to protect the Health of Humans.
Now we have a Study* that PROVES what we have been feeling and saying all along for years. I am pleased to share this chapter through the ERO in the hope that it will be read carefully so the severity of the harm of Infrasound and LFN on people and animals is understood. Further, it is hoped that, finally, these Industrial machines will be permanently curtailed and removed before more ongoing damage is done. Our only alternatives are to leave our homes, as many have done already, and let someone else suffer the same fate, or die. Many have done that, too.
I draw your attention to the high points of this valuable study as it describes effects upon me. I know what qualities of life I have lost every day over the past 4.5 years. I am not alone. These are my Notes:
*Acoustics and Biological Structures is a chapter on the study and explanation of damaging effects emanating from Industrial Wind Turbines. There is a shortage of studies that properly evaluate the biological response to infrasonic or lower frequency airborne pressure waves. Three important reasons for this are:- the rudimentary segregation of the entire acoustical spectrum into only 3 blocks;
- the unsuitability of the dBA metric to quantify airborne acoustical pressure waves at these lower frequencies, and
- the ingrained notion that, “What you can’t hear can’t hurt you.”
These major hindrances have been crystalized into mainstream science and have served to significantly impede scientific inquiry and human health protection.
A biomedical and engineering approach is taken, whereby biological organisms are viewed as structures of composite materials with significant viscoelastic components and organized in accordance with the principles of tensegrity architectures. Viscoelastic materials have 3 distinct properties not contemplated by Hookean models: Creep, Stress Relaxation, and Hysteresis.
When sufficient stress is applied and maintained on viscoelastic materials (cells and tissues), they may continue to deform. This property is known as Creep. Strain can decrease with time. This property is known as Stress Relaxation (or Distortion). The return to equilibrium may be a different pathway than the one used to get to the point of deformation. This property is called Hysteresis.
When airborne acoustic pressure waves impact these types of structures, the biological response will
depend on the type of biomaterial under study; it will exhibit anisotropic properties, and it will vary nonlinearly
with exposure time. Depending on the physical properties of the airborne pressure waves
(including time profiles) and the biostructure under study, mechanical perturbations are relayed into the
cells and tissues through a variety of different pathways that, to date, still remain unclear.
Fascia – sheet of connective tissue from head to toe – is body’s first line of defence. It is organized in
chains that become lesioned.
Collagenic Fibres – are like shock absorbers -- have a physiological role in mobilising the immune system.
3.3 Residential Field Laboratories
Field laboratories in urban and rural residential settings are generally designed to investigate
environmental health effects due to human-made infrasonic and lower frequency airborne pressure
waves. Typically these sources are associated with industrial complexes or infrastructure that, in turn are
usually linked with important economic interests. For example, in suburban areas most Airports must
close between midnight and 5 a.m. Some factories do not have night shifts. Wind Turbines are the
latest addition to these types of sources and are almost always in rural areas. If exposure is
concomitantly occurring during sleep and waking hours (e.g. homemakers, workers from
home, farmers, retirees) then biological outcomes may be further aggravated. Leaving the
home is the only way to get biological relief.
4. Past Relevant Studies
Numerous studies conducted over the decades have shed light on the biological response to infrasonic
and lower frequency airborne pressure waves and associated symptomatic complaints. As stated in the
Introduction, all studies using the dBA metric have been eliminated from consideration. This
discussion will only deal with some of the vascular and collagenous abnormalities, cardiomyocyte
changes, and the hippocampus responses, as induced by different types of exposures.
4.1 Vascular Changes
Mid 1960’s – Military setting – Disturbances in the visual field by all 5 human subjects.
1985 – Rat Study – 8 hz @ 100 – 140 dB, 3 hrs/day for 5, 10, 15, or 25 days –
Changes in blood flow, lymph networks in eyelids and eye globe conjunctiva.
Day 25 – failure of tissue homeostasis was aggravated. Capillary penetration was increased, as
seen through tissue enlargement, and significant agglutination was observed in the large vessels.
These studies suggested strongly that under the impact of infrasonic and LF airborne pressure waves a
vascular response is mounted by ocular structures – decreased visual acuity. As exposure time
progresses, vessels that were initially enlarged ceased to exist, apparently being replaced with narrower
and twisted vessels.
1968 – study of gastric complaints/functions: 3 mm. hemorrhages, liver structure, lungs.
Bronchoscope evaluation / humans with biopsy – Visible wall thickening in blood vessels. Scarce lumen.
4.2 Collagen and Connective Tissue
Collagen is the steel of the human body – every cell needs it.
Collagen is the most abundant protein.
Collagen is the key com0onent of the fascia.
Collagen is produced by fibroblast cells.
Dog Study – Collagen bundles; Collagen fibre degeneration
- tested positive for antinuclear antibodies
Occupational Study (aircraft industry) investigating long-term outcomes –
- CT Scan of lungs of 21 non-smoking males
- Symptoms of lung fibrosis
- Complaints of airflow limitations (shortness of breath)
- Fascia abnormalities in pericardia – (leading to VAD)
Pericardial and cardiac valve thickening has also been confirmed through echocardiography studies in
aircraft industries, with thickness increasing with increasing exposure time. In (rural) residential
settings, pericardial and valve thickening and increased arterial stiffness were observed in
populations chronically exposed.
4.3 Heart Cells and Tissues
Cardiac injuries showed improvement after the exposure stopped, despite the presence of abnormal cell
structures within the cellular cytoplasm, namely giant mitochondria.
Increased exposure time over 3 consecutive months:
97.5% increase in fibrosis in left ventricular
81.5% increase in the interventricular system
83.7% increase in (fibrosis) in right ventricular
Fibrosis-to-muscle ratio was significantly higher in the exposed rats, indicating significant ventricular
myocardial fibrosis.
When an exposed group of rats were treated with dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) also showed
significantly reduced wall-to-perivascular space ratio, suggesting an underlying inflammatory mechanism.
Another study after 3 months of continuous exposure showed reduced Gap junction intercellular
communication and possibility of arrhythmogenic consequences.
4.4 The Hippocampus
The learning and memory impairment center of the brain is divided into 4 regions: CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4,
each with different input and output pathways. So much of our ability to function properly is determined
in this control center. The study data suggests that both neurons in the hypothalamic periventricular
nucleus and microglial roles are effector cells for infrasound-elicited responses.
The TRPV4 protein acts as a protein channel that is also mechanosensitive. It plays important roles in
the system regulation of osmotic pressure by the brain – in skeletal growth and structure integrity
- in airway and lung function
- in retinal and in inner ear function, and
- in pain.
Exposure of Rats to sound pressure waves of 16 Hz @ 130 dB after days 1 and 7 showed significant
astrocyte and microglial activation, and before neuronal apoptosis became evident. At days 7 and 14, rat
learning and memory abilities were most severely impaired, with prominent loss of Hippocampus CA1
neurons.
These data suggest that TRPV4 expressed by glial cells is potentially a factor in infrasound-induced
neuronal impairment.
Through additional evaluations using pharmacological and knock-out interventions, the authors concluded
that infrasonic exposure induced astrocytes to release glutamate, and that CX43 Gap junctions were
required for the exposure-induced glutamate release.
5. Conclusions
I accept the Study Conclusions whole-heartedly!
Those like me, who are affected by these Industrial Machines, know that our quality of life is being taken
from us every day that Infrasound and Low Frequency Noise (LFN) are not recognized for the Killers they
are. My exposure time is now 4.5 years. I have all of these symptoms. And I am not alone!
Rural residents have been the Guinea Pigs in this Province-wide experiment long enough. The Rats and
Mice in these studies have had better care (shorter exposures) than today’s suffering population (5-
20%). That is a huge number of people impacting our Health Care System. It is interesting that an
Alberta Meat Packing Plant was closed down because of 6 illnesses across Canada. What about us?
Sleep Deprivation alone has been recognized as one form of Torture. It also makes the body more prone
to other weakening factors. Under the bombardment of airborne acoustic sound pressure waves that
never cease (unless the Wind stops blowing) our bodies are producing the same results found in these
studies.
The Study results are that increased exposure time increases the harmful
effects accumulatively.
The Government should NOT even think of perpetuating this Harm on More People!
It is immoral and criminal to subject people to the Torture of being exposed to LFN and
Infrasound, or airborne acoustic pressure waves produced by Industrial Wind Turbines.
My hope is that this Study – *Acoustics and Biological Structures – led by
renowned Scientist Mariana Alves-Pereira, after 30 years of experience in this field, will
open the eyes and minds of all
THOSE WHO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF ALL CITIZENS
OF THIS PROVINCE, to ADOPT THESE CONCLUSIONS and STOP THE HARM NOW!
*Acoustics and Biological Structures – Published January 9, 2019
Download from this site: It is open-access:
https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/acoustics-and-biological-struct…
Acoustics and Biological Structures
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82761
5. Conclusions
Exposure to infrasonic and lower frequency airborne pressure waves can cause
cellular and tissue damage depending on frequency, dB-level, and exposure time,
while the viscoelastic properties inherent to biological tissues impart a nonlinear
response to this type of acoustic stressor. The complex mechanosensitive and
biochemical cellular signaling pathways mediating this cellular damage have not yet
been pinpointed, although fasciae structures and connective tissues (including the
neuroglia) seem to be the most sensitive under longer term exposures. Immediate
exposures appear to induce inflammatory processes that do not seem to be maintained
with longer exposures.
Widespread vascular involvement (not limited to the biological structures
addressed herein) was observed in palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva and retina,
gastric mucosa, liver structures, lungs, pleura and tracheae, alveoli, pericardia, and
coronary arteries. This vascular response may (unsuspectingly) be the underlying
cause of many symptomatic complaints. Cognitive deficits oftentimes documented
within residential field laboratories may not merely be due to sleep deprivation,
but also to hippocampal neuronal damage. Fasciae morphogenesis speaks to the
demand on the whole-body structural integrity elicited by this type of external
mechanical insult, while collagenous growths and hemorrhagic events of a focal
nature may reflect concomitant resonance phenomena.
Recovery periods are not linear, and 2-hour daily exposures imply a 22-hour
nonexposure period. This presents a problem for continuous exposures, such as
those encountered in some professional activities and most residential environments.
The underlying objectives of most of the studies discussed herein are related
to occupational exposures and do not consider continuous exposures at less than
90 dB, nor are pressure pulsed trains presented within the laboratorial acoustic
environments. In residential environments, however, these attributes are often
present. The simulation of residential exposures does not appear to have yet been
integrated into laboratory settings and protocols.
The whole-body response also elicits the immune system, affects organs of
the reproductive system, changes receptor cells in the vestibular semicanals and
auditory cochlea, and induces genotoxic effects, including teratogenesis. This is a
pioneering field of science, still in its infancy and urgently requiring scientists from
multidisciplinary areas of study because, ultimately, the health of human populations
and their offspring must be protected.
Mariana Alves-Pereira, Bruce Rapley, Huub Bakker, and Rachel Summers
6. Recommendations
6.1 All Sound Measurements must be Regulated to be in dB, not dBA, which
eliminates Infrasound and Low Frequency Noise (LFN) from the acoustic spectrum
because they are generally below the range of Hearing. The Province must have the
necessary equipment to measure the full acoustic range, and people trained in how to
use it, and be able to enforce the limits established for Sound Power Waves produced
by Wind Turbines or any Industrial producer of such harmful radiation.
6.2 All Proponents will PROVE in their Application how their Project will NOT
produce Infrasound and LFN to harm anyone in the future.
6.3 The Province shall establish Sound Power levels for all Manufacturers
and Industries and establish how these levels will be enforced and what the
Penalties will be for non-compliance. The greatest penalty shall be the complete
closure and removal of all infrastructure of the Business at the Owner’s expense.
6.4 The Province will establish Regulations to require all Proponents, current
and future, to establish Reserve Funds immediately @ $1M. per Turbine for
the purpose of Decommissioning IWT’s and Infrastructure. Reserve Funds
will be supported by a 5% contribution to the Reserve Fund annually, to be
submitted to the Province and the Municipality by December 15th annually.
Failure to meet these terms shall result in immediate penalties of 10% of the
value of the Reserve Fund, and shut down of the Project until and unless all
Terms are met.
6.5 There shall be No Grandfathering of any IWT that is out-of-compliance
with the Regulations of any Provincial Ministry or any Municipal Policy for
any reason whatsoever.
As an example, in the HAF Wind Project in West Lincoln Township, Region of Niagara,
there are 5 IWT’s in a small project of 9.8 MW. Four (4) of these Turbines are out-ofcompliance
on 5 Property Lines. Further, the Electricity Collector Line from 3 IWT’s is
buried within 2.3 m. of an active Natural Gas Well. The Set-Back is 75 m. by Ministry of
Natural Resources Policy.
6.6 The Province will examine the Cancellation of All Subsidies paid to Wind
Project Operators at its earliest opportunity.
It is a well-known fact that IWT’s only operate at an average of 28% of Name-plate
capacity. They do not operate successfully on Wind power – only on Gov’t subsidies.
The Province cannot afford to carry this debt obligation for the next two decades.