This is in response to the letter from Dr. Dora Mills (Nov. 3). Her claim that there is no evidence of direct health or disease impact from wind turbines, especially if properly placed, as Dr. Mills states, is true. But she omits to say that for that to occur, wind turbines need to be placed at a minimum of 1 mile from the nearest residence.

Maine regulations stipulate less than a quarter of a mile.

Contrary to Mills’ assertion that Maine’s regulations provide for health protection, the Maine noise regulations are 15 decibels greater than the World Health Organization’s recent recommendations; a 30-fold increase in sound volume.

The sole purpose of the Maine Medical Association 2009 resolution (I authored it and submitted it to the membership) was to encourage appropriate studies to investigate if there were health issues as reported with industrial wind turbines.

Wind power has never been shown, to date, to decrease the consumption of coal; has no effect on foreign oil (used for cars and heating), and has no effect on global warming. It is all theoretical and has never been peer-reviewed.

To the contrary,  the National Institute of Health stated in 2008 that “wind turbine noise creates stress, which in turn leads to cardiovascular disease and cancer.”

Failure to err on the side of caution in spite of the wealth of evidence and failure to investigate the complaints of sufferers, for the sole purpose of political expediency, exhibits a total lack of empathy.

Albert Aniel, M.D., Rumford