Wind farms have been sprouting up all over the country. Some have mixed feelings about the aesthetics of these tall wind farms that are increasing in popularity. However, many don’t realize the tremendous benefits and more serious consequences of their use. This summer, as you find yourself lighting the citronella candles outside and swatting away any unwanted pests, you may be surprised to learn that the cause of the growing pests may be due to wind farms. Here’s some information you may not know about the new scenery in your area.
Mosquitoes
Before we talk about mosquitoes, we need to talk about bats. You see them every summer night if you look long enough. They are nocturnal creatures and forage for the pests you spend the summer avoiding. Bats eat many types of mosquitoes and some studies show that they are able to put a significant dent into the mosquito population.
Unfortunately, the bat population is on the decline. While there are other factors causing this, one of them is wind turbines. Many decreases in bat populations are found around the wind turbines towards the end of summer. Researchers are finding that hundreds of thousands are killed from these wind farms each year in North America.
Wind Farms & Your Health
Wind farms are poised to have great benefits for the environment. However, they sometimes serve as an annoyance that can impact sleep. The reported infrasound of those who live close to the wind farms has been subjectively reported to cause headaches, sleeplessness and anxiety. However, this is not supported by the extensive research conducted on the impact of wind farms on sleep.
If you already have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, living near a wind farm may not be ideal for you based on these self-reported side effects of noise disturbances. However, wind power provides cleaner energy than many of the previous sources of energy. This means you can count on cleaner air quality which is a tremendous benefit to your respiratory health. Fossil fuels like coal have been linked to breathing problems, neurological damage and even cancer. While the aesthetics may not be pleasing, you can be grateful for improved air quality for your health!
Advanced Respiratory Care Network can help with all of your respiratory care services - contact ustoday to see how!