A new University of Michigan study finds that people of color, rural residents and uninsured populations living near Illinois concentrated animal feeding operations face measurably worse air quality and significantly higher rates of cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.
by Judith Ruiz-BranchPublic News Service
As Illinois considers measures to tighten regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations, a recent study highlighted the disproportionate health and environmental impacts of meat production on vulnerable populations. Several bills propose stricter rules on large- and medium-sized operations by increasing local control, expanding setback distances from residential areas, and requiring water supply reports for expansions. Data from the University of Michigan shows these facilities contribute to significantly worse air quality for surrounding communities. Dimitris Gounaridis, assistant research scientist and lecturer at the University of Michigan, said people of color, rural residents and uninsured populations make up the majority of those residing in neighboring areas. "The meat we are eating and consuming has some costs," Gounaridis explained. "We prove once and for all that proximity to those facilities means lower air quality and health issues." It is estimated there are more than 21,000 concentrated animal feeding operations in Illinois. Gounaridis pointed out the research team has made their dataset publicly available for the first time in hopes of providing systematic evidence for targeted government or organizational interventions. Meat production facilities produce various harmful chemicals, including ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane and particulate matter. Gounaridis noted fine particulate matter are extremely small particles, which linger in the air for extended periods of time, and no amount is safe to inhale. "It's directly associated with (a) 4% increase in overall mortality and (a) 6% increase in cardiovascular mortality and (an) 8% increase in lung cancer," Gounaridis outlined. "That's very, very high." Gounaridis added health effects have been observed in communities up to 10 miles away. He stressed the concentration of large operations and other meat processing farms in specific locations like the Midwest enables more targeted interventions. He suggested increased regulations and infrastructure to prevent pollution spread adding public health information campaigns are also needed to provide education and resources for the high population of nearby uninsured residents.
