Report Confirms Air Pollution From Large Animal Farms

(25 July 2002 — Raleigh) Environmental Defense today said a report released by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) makes it clear that atmospheric emissions from industrial livestock production are a serious environmental and public health concern.  The group called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take swift action to protect the public from factory farm pollution.  The Scientific Basis for Estimating Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations, an interim report released by the NAS Committee on Air Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations, identifies emissions of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and odor as significant contributors to air pollution.

“This report sends a clear message to the EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture that new regulations, due in December 2002, must control atmospheric emissions from large animal feeding operations,” said Joe Rudek, senior scientist with Environmental Defense, who reviewed the report for NAS.  “The report points out that ignoring air pollution generated by industrial farms and simply focusing regulatory efforts on controlling land application of manure will lead to poorer air quality, impair water quality and threaten public health.”

The interim report found flaws in earlier EPA analysis of atmospheric emissions from animal feeding operations and promised to provide guidance on improving forecasting tools in its final report, due in October 2002.  “This new study must be used to shape strong regulations to protect public health and the environment,” said Rudek.  “The science is clear, factory farms are polluting the air we breathe and the water we drink.  The time to protect the public is now.”