BACKGROUND: The quality of life has three main characteristics: it always refers to the living conditions of an individual; it is measured both with subjective and objective indicators; and it is a multidimensional concept. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess how the quality of life is affected by the close proximity of wind farms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 1,277 Polish adults (703 women and 574 men), living in places located near wind farms. The mean age was 45.5 ± 16.10. Some 33.2% of participants lived more than 1,500 m from wind farms; 17% - below 700 m. The research tool consisted of the Norwegian version of the SF-36 General Health Questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for health assessment, and original questions. RESULTS: Regardless of the distance between a place of residence and a wind farm, the highest quality of life was noted within the physical functioning subscale (mean 76±27.97), and the lowest within the general health (mean 55.3±24.06). Within all scales, the quality of life was assessed highest by residents of areas located closest to wind farms, and the lowest by those living more than 1,500 m from wind farms. CONCLUSIONS: Close proximity of wind farms does not result in the worsening of the quality of life. Similar research should be conducted before any intended investment, and at least 6 months after construction of a wind farm.
BACKGROUND: The quality of life has three main characteristics: it always refers to the living conditions of an individual; it is measured both with subjective and objective indicators; and it is a multidimensional concept. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess how the quality of life is affected by the close proximity of wind farms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 1,277 Polish adults (703 women and 574 men), living in places located near wind farms. The mean age was 45.5 ± 16.10. Some 33.2% of participants lived more than 1,500 m from wind farms; 17% - below 700 m. The research tool consisted of the Norwegian version of the SF-36 General Health Questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for health assessment, and original questions. RESULTS: Regardless of the distance between a place of residence and a wind farm, the highest quality of life was noted within the physical functioning subscale (mean 76±27.97), and the lowest within the general health (mean 55.3±24.06). Within all scales, the quality of life was assessed highest by residents of areas located closest to wind farms, and the lowest by those living more than 1,500 m from wind farms. CONCLUSIONS: Close proximity of wind farms does not result in the worsening of the quality of life. Similar research should be conducted before any intended investment, and at least 6 months after construction of a wind farm.
Authors: Loren D Knopper; Christopher A Ollson; Lindsay C McCallum; Melissa L Whitfield Aslund; Robert G Berger; Kathleen Souweine; Mary McDaniel Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2014-06-19
Authors: Bożena Mroczek; Joanna Banaś; Małgorzata Machowska-Szewczyk; Donata Kurpas Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-02-01 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Małgorzata Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska; Kamil Zaborowski; Adam Dudarewicz; Małgorzata Zamojska-Daniszewska; Małgorzata Waszkowska Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-07-25 Impact factor: 3.390