A justification for using a 45 dba sound level criterion for wind turbine projects

Authors

  • Stephen E. Keith Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Product Safety Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Acoustics Division, 775 Brookfield Rd., 6301B, Ottawa, ON K1A 1C1, Canada
  • David S. Michaud Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Product Safety Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Acoustics Division, 775 Brookfield Rd., 6301B, Ottawa, ON K1A 1C1, Canada
  • Stephen H.P. Bly Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Product Safety Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Acoustics Division, 775 Brookfield Rd., 6301B, Ottawa, ON K1A 1C1, Canada

Keywords:

Biological materials, Electric generators, Hydraulic machinery, Hydraulic motors, Hydroxylation, Noise pollution, Rural areas, Wind power, Wind turbines, GREAT-ER, Noise criterion, Noise impacts, Noise mitigations, Sleep disturbances, Sound levels, US Department of transportations

Abstract

Health Canada developed a technique, to derive a noise criterion of 45dBA, as the level at which mitigation is recommended for wind turbines operating in quiet rural areas. This criterion is intended to avoid rattles, sleep disturbance, and an increase in %HAn greater than 6.5%. Health Canada has recommended that noise mitigation be considered, when a project-related long-term increase in the calculated %HA exceeds 6.5%, based on the characterization of a severe noise impact in a report developed by a team of researchers for the US Department of Transportation. Additional rationales for using a change of 6.5% in the %HAn have also been reviewed by some other researchers.

Additional Files

Published

2008-09-01

How to Cite

1.
Keith SE, Michaud DS, Bly SH. A justification for using a 45 dba sound level criterion for wind turbine projects. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2008 Sep. 1 [cited 2025 Feb. 13];36(3):54-5. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/2034

Issue

Vol. 36 No. 3 (2008)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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