In the article of June 15 titled, “Wind project raises issues,” ex-governor and wind entrepeneur Angus King seemed to downplay the health hazards created by industrial wind complexes by stating this was the concern of only two physicians.

Recently, the Maine Medical Association’s Public Health Committee issued the following statement to its membership:

“The Public Health Committee met last week and formed a subgroup to work throughout the summer months to develop a wind energy resolution for consideration by the membership. Assessing the potential health impact of wind turbines has been a difficult and arduous process.

The advocates on both sides have made passionate presentations and have provided voluminous amounts of references. The proper setback appears to be one of the most emerging issues as it relates to topography and weather. The MMA’s Public Health Committee will be moving this issue forward in reference to the four points below:

• Encourage the development of government energy policy and improved generation methods that mitigate direct and indirect health effects;

• Discourage the granting of waivers by the Maine DEP regarding noise and light effects;

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• Assist in the development and encourage the use of a “Code of Conduct” used voluntarily by the industry; and

• Encourage studies on health effects of wind turbine generation by independent qualified researchers at entities such as schools of public health.”

Obviously, the matter is more seriously considered than King suggests.

Albert Aniel M.D., Mexico

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