Health related guidelines for wind farms in Belgium

摘要

In 2011 the Belgian authorities have asked the Superior Health Council (SHC) to advise on the health effects of wind farms. A working group of experts with different backgrounds was put together to assess all the available literature. This group considered the request in the context of sustainable development and drafted an advice that was reviewed by two international experts. It is expected that the advice will be published in the spring of 2013. The advice mentions direct effects of operational wind turbines that may have negative consequences for the health and well-being of neighbouring people. It stresses the importance of factors such as the change in landscape, the possible intrusion on people's attachment to their environment and the effect of local economic benefits and costs associated with a wind energy project. Also, the perception of the future quality of life will determine the social acceptance of a wind project by a local community. The advice gives a number of recommendations to better deal with all these aspects. The paper will give an overview and explanation of these recommendations.