(Section in progress)
(Section in progress)
Percentage & Number of Animals on Factory Farms
Why is it difficult to estimate the percentage of farmed animals raised on factory farms? There is no consensus about what makes an operation a factory farm.[1] Some sources use the EPA’s definitions of CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) as a starting point. But these definitions are based on arbitrary metrics regarding manure and water […]
Undercounts of Injury & Illness for Animal Ag Workers
What is the main takeaway of injury and illness undercounts for all animal ag workers? Even a cursory reading of the literature about worker injuries and illness in the animal ag industry makes clear that the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) data has little connection to the realities for workers in slaughterhouses and on factory […]
Lack of Air Regulations
Are there any federal laws that regulate air emissions from factory farms? In essence, no. Although the EPA is required by the Clean Air Act to determine which stationary sources “cause or contribute significantly to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare,” the agency has not added AFOs or […]
Causes of Factory Farm Worker Injury & Illness
What are the most common causes of worker injuries on factory farms? Interactions with livestock are often cited as the most frequent causes of injury, especially for dairy workers and cattle ranchers. In a broad survey of central U.S. farms and ranches, 22% of injuries were from livestock.[1] In a Michigan study that reviewed hospital […]
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 […]
Ammonia’s Contribution to PM2.5
How does ammonia contribute to PM2.5? Ammonia (NH3) is a precursor gas that reacts with aerosols (particles or droplets in the air or in gases) to form various chemical compounds, some of which take the form of PM2.5.[1] Most air-borne ammonia is short lived and will be deposited within 2 or 3 miles of its […]
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 […]
Ammonia Emissions from Animal Ag
What are the sources of escaped ammonia from animal ag? Escaped atmospheric ammonia (NH3) comes primarily from manure on factory farms (both livestock and poultry) and to a lesser degree from fertilizer application on crops that go to animal feed.[1,2] Factory farm locations correlate strongly with ammonia emission densities.[3] U.S. EPA (2024) 2020 NEI Supporting […]