ENDOTOXIN EXPOSURE, LIVESTOCK ODORS, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN AREAS WITH INTENSIVE ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Abstract

ISEE-524 Abstract: Neighbors of intensive livestock production facilities frequently complain of odor annoyance and worry about potential negative health effects of environmental exposures to livestock emissions. We aimed to assess quality of life (QoL) in residents of a rural community neighboring an area with high concentration of animal farms. We carried out a postal cross-sectional survey among 4537 residents, aged 18 to 44 years in this area. Of these, 3112 (69%) responded to questions on annoyance by livestock odors (four-point scale), on QoL (assessed by the short form 12 (SF-12)), and on potential confounders (age, gender, respiratory symptoms, smoking, living on or close to a farm, and employment status). Additionally, dispersion models were used to estimate the average annual exposure to livestock emissions (respirable endotoxin). SF-12 scores were available for 2745 (88%) subjects. Sixty-one percent of the respondents complained about unpleasant odors, 91% of these accused livestock as source of these odors. Physical and emotional SF-12 scores were inversely related to annoyance scores. In contrast, no association was seen between the estimated level of respirable endotoxin exposure in the home environment and SF-12 scores (Figure).FIGURE 1.: Mean (95% CI) SF-12 scores by level of odour annoyance and level of endotoxin exposure* in the home environment * 1. Quartile: 0.0 - 0.023 ng/m3; 2. Quartile: - 0.033 ng/m3; 3. Quartile: - 0.048 ng/m3; 4. Quartile: - 0.63 ng/m3 Better risk communication might improve QoL in concerned neighbors of intensive livestock production facilities.Figure