By Sheza
Introduction
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are large industrial livestock facilities that raise thousands of animals in confined spaces to meet growing food demands. Although these operations play an important role in food production but they also release large amounts of air pollutants into nearby communities. Pollutants such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter and bioaerosols may affect air quality and contribute to environmental pollution (Heederik et al., 2007).
People living near CAFOs often have concerns about odors, air quality and how pollution may affect their daily lives. This blog explores how air pollution from CAFOs may affect respiratory health and why some communities may face greater exposure than others.
Figure: Aerial view of a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) and nearby waste lagoon. Large livestock facilities can affect the surrounding environment and communities through the release of air pollutants and other waste products.
How CAFO Air Pollution Affects Respiratory Health
Air pollution from CAFOs may negatively affect respiratory health in nearby communities. Pollutants such as ammonia, particulate matter, endotoxins, and organic dust can enter the respiratory system and irritate the airways (Heederik et al., 2007).
Several studies have found that people living closer to CAFOs often report more respiratory problems than those living farther away. Schultz et al. (2019) found higher rates of asthma and allergies among residents living near livestock operations. Hooiveld et al. (2016) also reported higher rates of doctor-diagnosed respiratory illnesses in areas with a high density of livestock facilities.
Some groups may be more vulnerable to air pollution than others. Children are still developing their lungs and breathe more air relative to their body size than adults, which may increase their exposure to airborne pollutants. Older adults and people already living with respiratory conditions may also be more sensitive to poor air quality. In addition, many CAFOs are located near low-income and marginalized communities, where residents may experience long-term exposure to pollution while having fewer resources to address related health concerns.
Supporting this concern, Sigurdarson and Kline (2006) found a higher prevalence of asthma among students attending a school located near a CAFO compared with students attending a school farther away. Together, these findings suggest that long-term exposure to livestock-related air pollution may affect respiratory health, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Figure: Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane, and particulate matter are some of the common air pollutants released from CAFOs. Exposure to these pollutants may affect air quality and contribute to respiratory irritation and other health concerns.
Source: https://www.wehnonline.org/cafos-2020
Proximity and Environmental Justice
Not every community experiences CAFO pollution in the same way. Many industrial livestock facilities are located near rural, low-income, and historically marginalized communities. As a result, some residents may face greater exposure to pollution while having fewer resources to address related health concerns (Son & Bell, 2025).
Son and Bell (2025) found that communities with higher poverty levels and greater social vulnerability often experienced higher exposure to animal feeding operations. These findings highlight an important environmental justice issue: the communities most affected by pollution are often the same communities with the fewest resources to respond to it.
While food production is essential, many researchers argue that nearby communities should not bear an unequal share of the environmental and health burdens associated with industrial livestock production.
Figure: Large-scale livestock operations generate enormous amounts of animal waste each year. Waste from these facilities can affect air and water quality, creating environmental concerns for nearby communities.
Source: https://www.ewg.org/research/exposing-fields-filth-north-carolina
Solutions and Future Directions
Several strategies may help reduce the health impacts associated with CAFO pollution:
- Improved Air Monitoring: Expanding air quality monitoring near livestock facilities may help communities better understand pollution exposure and identify potential health concerns (Thorne, 2007).
- Better Waste Management: Improving manure storage systems and reducing waste spraying near residential areas may help lower harmful emissions and reduce environmental contamination (Casey et al., 2015).
- Stronger Environmental Policies: Increasing environmental protections, improving public health education, and strengthening oversight of livestock operations may help protect communities living near CAFOs.
Conclusion
CAFOs play an important role in modern food production, but their impacts can extend beyond farm boundaries. Air pollution and waste generated by these facilities may affect nearby communities, raising concerns about both public health and environmental justice.
As discussions about sustainable food systems continue, it is important to consider not only how food is produced, but also how surrounding communities are affected. Supporting efforts to reduce pollution and protect vulnerable populations can help create healthier environments for everyone.
References:
Casey, J. A., Kim, B. F., Larsen, J., Price, L. B., & Nachman, K. E. (2015). Industrial Food Animal Production and Community Health. Current Environmental Health Reports, 2(3), 259–271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-015-0061-0
Heederik, D., Sigsgaard, T., Thorne, P. S., Joel N. Kline, Rachel Avery, Jakob H. Bønløkke, Chrischilles, E. A., Dosman, J. A., Caroline Duchaine, Kirkhorn, S. R., Katarina Kulhankova, & Merchant, J. A. (2007). Health Effects of Airborne Exposures from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(2), 298–302. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8835
Hooiveld, M., Smit, L. A. M., van der Sman-de Beer, F., Wouters, I. M., van Dijk, C. E., Spreeuwenberg, P., Heederik, D. J. J., & Yzermans, C. J. (2016). Doctor-diagnosed health problems in a region with a high density of concentrated animal feeding operations: a cross-sectional study. Environmental Health, 15(1), Article 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-016-0123-2
Schultz, A. A., Peppard, P., Gangnon, R. E., & Malecki, K. M. C. (2019). Residential proximity to concentrated animal feeding operations and allergic and respiratory disease. Environment International, 130, Article 104911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.104911
Schulze, A., Römmelt, H., Ehrenstein, V., van Strien, R., Praml, G., Küchenhoff, H., Nowak, D., & Radon, K. (2011). Effects on Pulmonary Health of Neighboring Residents of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: Exposure Assessed Using Optimized Estimation Technique. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 66(3), 146–154. https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2010.539635
Sigurdarson, S. T., & Kline, J. N. (2006). School Proximity to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Prevalence of Asthma in Students. Chest, 129(6), 1486–1491. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.129.6.1486
Son, J.-Y., & Bell, M. L. (2025). Health disparities associated with exposure to animal feeding operations, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, USA. Environmental Research Letters, 20(5), 54011. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/adc291
Thorne, P. S. (2007). Environmental Health Impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: Anticipating Hazards—Searching for Solutions. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(2), 296–297. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8831