Current Events: Study Finds Limited Response to Public Health Threats from Industrial Food Animal Production

A study published early this year by researchers at Johns Hopkins University's Center for a Livable Future found that health departments often lack the staff, funding, or jurisdiction to address public health issues raised by Industrial Animal Food Production. 

Industrial Animal Food Production involves large numbers of animals raised together in extremely close quarters, and has become the main form of animal production in the US. Health and environmental concerns raised by this type of production include concentration of huge amounts of manure within small geographic areas, emission of toxic and allergenic air pollutants, surface and ground water pollution, and need for storage and transportation of excess waste. There are regulations in place to prevent water contamination, but many facilities fail to comply. Industrial Food Animal Production facilities are disproportionately located in low-income communities.


Researchers conducted interviews with Health Department staff and community members in counties with industrial hog facilities. They found that when people called Health Departments with concerns about odor, water pollution, or other issues, Health Department staff were able to do very little to address them, citing lack of jurisdiction, resources, and expertise. Political barriers are also significant. Community members felt that their concerns were not resolved and that Health Departments took no action to do so. The agencies that do have jurisdiction over this type of production often do not have a public health focus.


The authors concluded that an increased role for Health Departments in addressing issues related to Industrial Food Animal Production could have a positive impact on public health. This could be achieved through increased funding and education, as well as changes in the political climate that discourages agencies from taking actions against industrial agriculture.

Read the original article here:

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0054720

Fry JP, Laestadius LI, Grechis C, Nachman KE, Neff RA (2013). "Investigating the Role of State and Local Health Departments in Addressing Public Health Concerns Related to Industrial Food Animal Production Sites." PLoS ONE 8(1): e54720