Factory Farm Worker Injury & Illness
What does the BLS report as the annual number of recordable injuries and illnesses? The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were a total of 8,700 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses for the following Animal Production workers in 2023. “Animal Production” is a term used in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for […]
Line Speed Impacts on Slaughter & Processing Workers
What is “line speed” in animal slaughtering and processing? Line speed is the term most often used for the maximum speed of the slaughter line on which animals are killed, bled out, and undergo internal organ removal. The speed is set by the USDA in the Code of Federal Regulations and is based on the […]
Animal Ag Ammonia & PM2.5
Is nitrogen the central element of animal ag air pollution? Yes. The pivotal element in animal ag air pollution is nitrogen (N). Large quantities of excess nitrogen turn into ammonia, the primary agricultural air pollutant.[1,2] Liu, L., et al.. (2022). Exploring global changes in agricultural ammonia emissions and their contribution to nitrogen deposition since 1980. […]
Precarious Employment
What is “precarious employment”? Precarious employment is a construct that encompasses employment insecurity, unequal bargaining power, low wages and economic deprivation, limited social protection, and powerlessness to exercise workplace rights.[1] It is increasingly recognized as a threat to the health and well-being of workers, their families, and communities, and it is associated with increased risks […]
Agricultural PM2.5 Pollution
What is the chain reaction that leads to PM2.5 – the main air pollutant from agriculture? U.S. EPA (2024) 2020 NEI Supporting Data and Summaries – Data Queries for Sector Summaries. [Query: National/Ammonia NH3/Livestock Waste (49.2%), fertilizer application (33.5%), agricultural field burning (2.7%) of total (5,482,484 tons)] Wyer, K. E., et al., (2022). Ammonia emissions from […]
Animal Ag Air Pollution Overview
How damaging is air pollution compared to other environmental threats? Air pollution, and specifically PM2.5 air pollution, is the number one environmental cause of human deaths in the U.S.[1] Globally, PM2.5 air pollution is the environmental factor responsible for most human deaths.[2] In fact, of all causes of premature death, it is considered the largest […]
Poultry Processing Worker Injury & Illness
Are jobs in poultry slaughter and processing particularly dangerous? According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), “Meat and poultry slaughter and processing is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States.”[1] The U.S. Dept of Labor also acknowledges that “there are many serious safety and health hazards in the poultry processing industry.”[2] […]
Livestock Slaughter and Processing Worker Injury & Illness
Are jobs in livestock slaughter and processing particularly dangerous? According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, “Meat and poultry slaughter and processing is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States.”[1] The U.S. Dept of Labor also acknowledges that “there are many serious safety and health hazards in the meat packing industry.”[2] […]
Nitrogen, Air, and Animal Ag
What is the central element in animal ag air pollution? The pivotal element in animal ag air pollution is nitrogen (N). Nitrogen emissions are at the center of many of the most damaging environmental impacts of animal ag and the most critical issues of global health.[1] Excess nitrogen leads to nutrient pollution, commonly associated with […]
Air Quality Takeaways
Air Quality Takeaways Takeaways are key points detailed and referenced in the Air Quality section Nitrogen, Air, and Animal Ag Animal ag air pollution is complex, likely underestimated, and poorly regulated, though it is one of the nation’s largest sources of environmental harm. Excess nitrogen spewed into the atmosphere is a form of nutrient pollution; […]