Pollution From Livestock Farming Affects Infant Health

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A new study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics explores the effects of pollution from livestock facilities on infant health and finds that production is associated with an increase in infant mortality.

Stacy Sneeringer of Wellesley College worked with data on spatial variation in livestock operations from the past two decades to identify the relationship between industry location and infant health.

She found that as livestock production has become more concentrated in larger farms, production has become more concentrated in certain areas.

Previous studies have found that animal production can result in high concentrations of potentially harmful byproducts. Effluent from livestock farms can contaminate the groundwater and air.Certain gases associated with livestock farming have been found to be toxic and to contribute to overall air pollution levels. Livestock farming has also been associated with air-borne particulate matter.

A statistically strong positive relationship between livestock farming and infant mortality [a 100 percent increase in livestock production in a county being associated with a 7.4 percent increase in infant mortality] was found. Most of this effect occurs within the first twenty-eight days of life.

Sneeringer interpreted her results as reflecting damage to the fetus. This is evidenced by higher rates of neonatal infant mortality, causes of death related to problems in the perinatal period, and lowered Apgar scores.

“The results of this article suggest that the mechanism by which this effect operates may be increased air pollution,” Sneeringer said.

She said “careful monitoring of groundwater and air pollutants near livestock farms will be necessary to form an accurate picture of their effect on public health.”

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