PUBLIC HEALTH
There are many public health concerns associated with CAFOs including antibiotic resistance, lung disease, cancer, food borne illness, novel virus development and decreased quality of life.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
About 80% of all antibiotics used in the United States are used in animal agriculture. They are used to treat and prevent diseases, diseases that are more likely due to the animals living in confinement. Historically, antibiotics have been used to increase the growth of animals, though this has recently been discouraged by the FDA and has been banned in Europe. The ability to use antibiotics in humans and animals has improved health for decades. However, the inappropriate and overuse of antibiotics in both human and animals is causing an alarming phenomenon called antibiotic resistance. This is when antibiotics no longer work to treat serious infections that can be life threatening.
WATCH
This CDC video explains antibiotic resistance in 3 minutes. Next, see a farmer's experience with antibiotic resistance in this PBS News Hour Segment. And finally, to hear solutions to this issue, watch this
TEDx Talk with Lance Price PhD, professor from George Washington University and founder of the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center.
READ
Learn more about antibiotic resistance with this NRDC fact sheet and visit the Keep Antibiotics Working website and blog for up to date and trusted information on antibiotic resistance. The PEW Trust also has an engaging page dedicated to antibiotic resistance and solutions.
LISTEN
While cooking dinner or cleaning the house, listen to registered dietitian Melinda Hemmelgarn's interview with Lena Brooks on animal agriculture and antibiotic use. Then check out this 30 minute podcast from Future Curious on ways medical teams across the globe are getting creative on treating infection and hear from someone living with chronic bacterial infections.
OTHERÂ HEALTH CONCERNS
LUNG DISEASE
CAFOs produce high volumes animal waste. As this waste breaks down, high volumes of gaseous emissions such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are released into the air. In addition, particulate matter which consists of dust, feed, bedding materials, feathers, animal dander and dry manure, is also produced. Exposure to these irritants can lead to acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease and interstitial lung disease as well as chemical burns to the respiratory tract, skin and eyes in farm workers and community residents.
CANCER
If a CAFO has a contaminated a local water system, the risk of nitrates and nitrate poisoning from drinking water is a concern. Nitrates in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome and has been linked to increased risk of some cancers including esophageal, stomach and bladder cancers. These communities often use wells which are not monitored for nitrate levels and therefore residents should have nitrate systems in place.
FOODBORNE ILLNESS
There are over 150 pathogens in animal manure that could impact human health. When animals are kept in confinement it is easier to spread pathogens between animals and then to humans. A human can be infected by an animal without symptoms, and then take this infection back to their communities. When water is contaminated with these pathogens and bacteria, it can cause widespread outbreaks of food borne diseases like salmonellosis, giardiasis and E. coli.
NOVEL VIRUSES
When animals live in confinement it is easier to spread bacterial and viral disease. The intense confinement of poultry and pigs in particular has been shown to increase transmission of influenza, including novel strains H1N1 (the swine flu) and H5N1 (the avian or bird flu), among themselves as well as to humans that work in the operations. This could be a concern in communities where the primary employer is a swine or poultry CAFO. This article discusses CAFOs as amplifiers of influenza. And this article speaks specifically to swine flu. There has not been adequate research in this area and CAFOs are not mandated to report novel viruses. This may change after the SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) pandemic, as the USDA has already proposed adding novel viruses to the list of mandatory reporting. Public comments open until June 1, 2020, here.
QUALITY OF LIFE
The odors caused by the gases emitted from the high volume of manure can cause significant distress for local residents. Many report poor quality of life, increased stress and reduced social connection due to the odors. See the Community page to hear stories from people who live near CAFOs.