RFK Jr. orders CDC to investigate potential health risks of offshore wind farms
By bellecarter // 2025-11-15
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  • HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has directed the CDC to study potential health and environmental risks of offshore wind farms, including electromagnetic frequencies from undersea cables and chemical leaching from turbine materials.
  • Studies suggest offshore wind turbines release toxic metals (aluminum, zinc, iridium) and microplastics into marine ecosystems, raising concerns about seafood contamination and human health impacts like cancer and endocrine disruption.
  • Commercial fishing communities oppose wind farms, citing disrupted fishing grounds, ecological damage and unknown occupational hazards, leading to lawsuits against Biden-era projects.
  • The Trump administration, skeptical of offshore wind, halted projects like Revolution Wind citing cost and national security concerns, while Biden pushes aggressive expansion despite mounting opposition.
  • The CDC's findings could influence future wind farm approvals, highlighting tensions between rapid renewable energy expansion and potential ecological harm—amplifying the administration’s skepticism.
Amid growing concerns over the environmental and health impacts of offshore wind energy, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has quietly directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate potential risks posed by wind turbines to commercial fishermen and marine ecosystems. The move signals a shift in federal priorities under the Trump administration, which has long opposed large-scale wind projects. According to sources familiar with the matter, Kennedy instructed the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to assess health hazards linked to offshore wind farms, including electromagnetic frequencies from undersea cables and chemical leaching from turbine materials. The study, initially expected to conclude within months, has been delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown. While wind energy has been touted as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, emerging research suggests that offshore turbines may introduce new environmental and health risks. BrightU.AI's Enoch cites a 2024 study by the University of Portsmouth, which found that corrosion-resistant coatings on wind turbines release aluminum, zinc and iridium into surrounding waters, potentially contaminating marine life and seafood. Professor Gordon Watson, a marine biologist involved in the study, cautioned that while wind farms help reduce carbon emissions, "there is limited data on how these metals affect the environment near operational offshore wind farms." Meanwhile, advocacy group Green Oceans released a report warning that degrading turbine blades release microplastics, epoxy resins and toxic chemicals like PFAs and formaldehyde into the ocean. These substances have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and cardiovascular disease in humans.

Commercial fishermen caught in the crossfire

Commercial fishing communities have raised alarms about offshore wind farms disrupting traditional fishing grounds and exposing workers to unknown hazards. Several lawsuits have been filed against Biden-era wind projects along the East Coast, with fishermen arguing that turbine construction harms marine ecosystems and threatens livelihoods. Kennedy's directive aligns with President Donald Trump's broader skepticism of wind energy. Trump has repeatedly criticized offshore wind farms as costly eyesores, even halting construction on the $3 billion Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island last year, citing national security concerns. Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, has long opposed offshore wind projects, including a contentious proposal near his family's Cape Cod compound. His latest move reflects a growing divide between renewable energy advocates and critics who question its unintended consequences. The CDC's findings could influence future wind farm approvals, particularly if evidence links turbine operations to health risks. With the Biden administration pushing for expanded offshore wind development, Kennedy's investigation adds fuel to an already heated debate over America's energy future. As the CDC's probe unfolds, the controversy over offshore wind underscores a broader tension between rapid green energy expansion and potential ecological fallout. For now, fishermen, scientists and policymakers await answers—while the Trump administration's skepticism of wind power grows louder. Watch the video below that talks about the cost of building wind turbines. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

WattsUpWithThat.com Bloomberg.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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