Factory Farm Air Pollution

A new report from the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) reveals that factory farm sites had air pollution levels putting those living nearby at risk. EIP found fine particle pollution, which can damage the lungs and heart, at much higher levels than the Clean Air Act allows. Two henhouses in California had levels three times higher than the permissible 35 micrograms. The report also found Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) emitting thousands of pounds of ammonia and hundreds of pounds of hydrogen sulfide per day. CAFOs are currently exempt from several pollution laws. Attorney and author of the report, Tarah Heinzen, says that it is time for the EPA to “begin applying consistent federal standards to all major polluters.”