Abstract
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) produce large amounts of animal waste, which potentially pollutes air, soil and water and affects human health if not appropriately managed. This study uses meteorological and CAFO data and applies an air pollution dispersion model (CALPUFF) to estimate ammonia concentrations at locations downwind of hog CAFOs and to evaluate the disproportionate exposure of children, elderly, whites and minorities to the pollutant. Ammonia is one of the gases emitted by swine CAFOs and could affect human health. Local indicator of spatial autocorrelation (LISA) analysis uses census block demographic data to identify hot spots where both ammonia concentrations and the number of exposed vulnerable population are high. We limit our analysis to one watershed in North Carolina and compare environmental justice issues between 2000 and 2010. Our results show that the average ammonia concentrations in hot spots for 2000 and 2010 were 2.5–3-times higher than the average concentration in the entire watershed. The number of people living in the areas where ammonia concentrations exceeded the minimal risk level was 3647 people in 2000 and 3360 people in 2010. We recommend using air pollution dispersion models in future environmental justice studies to assess the impacts of the CAFOs and to address concerns regarding the health and quality of life of vulnerable populations.
Highlights
Livestock farming has experienced significant changes in the last few decades: while the number of small, family-owned animal farms has been decreasing, the number of large, industrial animal farms has been increasing, similar to consolidation in other commercial operations, such as grocery and clothing stores
They found that, at sites within 2 km from a hog concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), the ammonia concentration averaged 19.872 μg/m3, reaching as high as 115.2 μg/m3. While these measurements are very similar to our modeled concentrations, it is important to note that we only modeled emissions from swine CAFOs and did not account for other sources of ammonia
The main research question of this study asked if children, the elderly, white and minority populations are disproportionately exposed to ammonia emitted by CAFOs in Contentnea Creek Watershed in North
Summary
Livestock farming has experienced significant changes in the last few decades: while the number of small, family-owned animal farms has been decreasing, the number of large, industrial animal farms has been increasing, similar to consolidation in other commercial operations, such as grocery and clothing stores. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, 86% of all hogs raised in the U.S in 2010 were concentrated in just 12% of hog operations [1]. Proponents of industrial agriculture argue that concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) provide a “low-cost source of meat, milk, and eggs, due to efficient feeding and housing of animals, increased facility size, and animal specialization” and “enhance the local economy and increase employment” [2]. The main source of air and water pollution is animal manure. Manure contains a variety of nutrients and potential contaminants, such as nitrogen, phosphorous, pathogens (e.g., E. coli), growth hormones, antibiotics, animal blood and chemicals used to clean the equipment [2]
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