The Food Industry and Land, Water, & Air Pollution

LAND, WATER, AND AIR POLLUTION

According to the EPA, the annual production of manure produced by animal confinement facilities exceeds that

produced by

humans IFAP is spread on the ground untreated. Manure in such large quantities carries excess

nutrients and farm chemicals

that find their way into waterways, lakes, groundwater, soils and airways. Excess

and

inappropriate land application of untreated

animal waste on cropland contributes to excessive nutrient

loading and,

ultimately, eutrophication of surface waters.

Eutrophication is an excess of nutrients in a body of water, mostly nitrates and phosphates from erosion and

runoff

of surrounding

lands, that causes a dense growth of plant life and the death of aquatic animal life due to

lack of

oxygen.

"There is no such thing as a meat-eating environmentalist. The meat, dairy, and egg industries are poisoning

and

depleting our

land, water, and air. Every time we eat animal products, we contribute to ecological

devastation and

the wasteful misuse of

resources on a global scale."

Motavalli.

CAFOs have become an increasing source of concern because of their impact on the environment, human

health,

and quality of

life of rural populations. A review of health literature reveals potential adverse health

effects

associated with CAFOs that include

groundwater contamination, air contamination, respiratory disease,

and the

creation and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Centers for Disease Control.