Wind turbines vs. seizures

Wind farms are more than just an eyesore. They can cause epileptic fits.

The flickering of sunlight through the turbines' spinning blades can trigger seizures in the most vulnerable, an expert warned yesterday.

The flicker caused by turbines, like these at Stirling Castle, can cause seizures

Professor Arnold Wilkins, who believes the link has been overlooked, is calling on engineers to consider the risk when building farms.

Epileptics are in danger of a seizure if light flickers at three or more times a second.

Wind turbines usually create three flickers a second, prompting the professor to say: "We don't want more than that. But there may be instances where turbines are close together and their blades cross over, leading to a greater frequency of flickers. You wouldn't want the shadow to fall on a public place.

"The biggest risk is for epileptics living or working in the shadow of blades," he said.

This is not the first time environmentally-friendly technology has been linked to health problems.
Energy-saving light bulbs are also thought to trigger epileptic fits, as well as migraines and skin problems.