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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-12-14, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, December 14, 2016 Justine Alkema Clinton News Record A full room of residents at the Huron County Health Unit on December 6. File photo Industrial wind turbines. 00, For the advertising and editorial departments CLOSED Dec. 26, 27 • Jan. 2, 3 Publishing Date: Wednesday Dec. 21 Wednesday Dec. 28 Wednesday Jan. 4 Deadline: Friday Dec. 16 at noon Wednesday Dec. 21 at loam Wednesday Dec. 28 at loam Contact: Dawn Johnston Media Sales Consultant Justine Alkema Journalist Teresa Smith Front Desk/Classifieds **I News Recor DJohnston@postmedia.com JAlkema@postmedia.com TSmith@postmedia.com Health Unit prepares to begin wind turbine investigation Many people attend information night on if December 6 to learn more about study Justine Alkema Clinton News Record In early 2017, all residents in Huron County living within 10 kilometers of an industrial wind turbine (IWT) will receive a form explaining an investigation to take place by the Huron County Health Unit. The Huron County Healthy Unit is the only health unit in Ontario undertaking an investi- gation of IWTs, however Health Unit Epidemiologist Erica Clark pointed out that "other health units are watching." This investigation, being headed by acting MOH Dr. Maarten Bokhout, has been in the workings for a while at the Health Unit. It was first initi- ated by acting MOH Dr. Janice Owens last spring shortly before she was let go by the Board of Health. This is a different study than the one currently underway by Jane Wilson from Wind Con- cerns Ontario and the Univer- sity of Waterloo. In that study, the Health Unit's participation is minimal at this point. Also, it is an intensive look at audible and inaudible sound effects in as few as six homes, which is quite a different method. This investigation is actually conducted by Health Unit staff; Dr. Bokhout and Epidemiolo- gist Dr. Erica Clark gave the presentation at the meeting on December 6. The investigation is com- pletely voluntary. The distrib- uted form will explain how to register and participate if the individual chooses. To partici- pate, individuals will be able to file online complaints (there is also a paper option) anytime they experience a negative health impact from an IWT. From that information, the Health Unit will analyze where complaints are coming from and how various factors could be affecting them such as weather conditions, efficiency of the IWTs, proximity to the ITWs, etc. "We want to be able to look at 'this is the group of people that has a complaint on this day at this time, and this is the group of people that do not.' And then we want to look at what's the difference between those two groups - why are some people having difficulty and others aren't," said Clark. "We are expecting that the group of people that have a complaint is going to vary based on the day, the hour, because of different weather and operating conditions." They are on their third draft Li I To our customers, associates, neighbors and friends, we wish a season of peace and joy. We want to thank everyone for this year, and we look forward to serving you in 2017. Merry Christmas Vanden Heuvel Structures (2016) Ltd. 4PSTIEMV 40 WELLINGTON STREET, CLINTON 519-482-9666 ,n1I iU l I IIa4►6.1i4I SJit ltolO]il of the survey format; at first, it was quite long, but they have intentionally narrowed it down to make the complaint tracking form short enough that it is easy for people to fill out quickly. "It can be completed in under one minute," said Clark. People can look at the third draft of the survey online, and the Health Unit has invited people to offer criticisms and suggestions by mid-January. At that point, there may or may not be a fourth draft. If a fourth draft is not necessary, they will send their plan to the Univer- sity of Waterloo Research and Ethics Board. Once the project is approved as ethical, the investigation will begin. There will be a media release at that point so people are informed of when to sign up. The investigation will be done seasonally with results released after each season. Clark emphasized that all the information and com- plaints they receive will be completely confidential, and moreover, will still be in the ownership of the individual. That means if that individual wishes, they can call in and receive a summary of their complaints, order the com- plaints be destroyed, etc. She noted that participation includes anyone under a non - discloser agreement; they are still permitted to participate in the confidential research study. There was a long question and answer period at the meet- ing - much of the meeting con- sisted of questions from the public. As for what will be actiona- ble after the investigation is completed, Clark commented that, "If it does look like we are able to identify a set of condi- tions under which people are more likely to experience problems, we will be taking that forward to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment." 1.4 411104 4.61 1#1016 gi;=*4r4 MS . F* #P#a# f## '+*• ► Mate Your Dain per, 1'�int'• C. j rc Irr -riiil Tripe kiu ri$I..(QDEilI(Hs_.;.2323 AW4