How Factory Farms Affect Human Health. Factory farms and the contamination that they produce cause illnesses in humans that range from brain damage and depression to miscarriage and birth defects . They are also responsible for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and severe respiratory problems.
Are factory farms unsanitary?
Contamination occurs at higher rates on factory farms because crowded and unclean living conditions increase the likelihood of transmission between animals . It also stresses out animals, which suppresses their immune response, making them more susceptible to disease.
Are factory farms healthy?
Our Health Matters
Food coming from factory farms often contains harmful bacteria, pesticide residue, antibiotics and artificial hormones, all of which can be harmful to consumers . Factory farms and industrial agriculture also impact human heath through air, water and soil pollution.
How do factory farms impact the health of those living nearby?
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health titled “Respiratory Health Effects of Large Animal Farming Environments” shows that exposure to factory farms can lead to the development of a broad spectrum of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases such as rhinitis, mucous membrane ...
What are the pros and cons of factory farming?
| Factory Farming Pros Factory Farming Cons | Important for many local economies High water consumption | Assures large variety of meat Low-quality meat | Geographic flexibility Groundwater pollution | Meat production all year long Global warming |
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How does factory farming affect the animals?
HOW DOES FACTORY FARMING AFFECT ANIMALS? On factory farms, animals are subjected to routine mutilations, extreme confinement, and are otherwise manipulated to benefit human consumers . These practices are generally harmful to the animals.
How does inhumane farming lead to ill health?
Human health: Some early evidence suggests that working on a factory farm or eating foods produced on factory farms may be associated with increased rates of neurological disorders, respiratory disease, miscarriages, bacterial infections, diarrhea, and stomach ailments and other health problems .
Why should people care about factory farming?
In short, though factory farming enables us to have plenty of cheap and convenient food, it typically yields food with little nutritional benefit that can increase your resistance to antibiotics as it pollutes your air, land, and water .
How do you get rid of factory farms?
You can avoid factory-farmed meat, dairy, and eggs by shopping at farmers markets or buying directly from small family farms . Ask the farmers how their animals are raised and whether you can visit the farm.
How does animal agriculture affect human health?
The negative effects associated with livestock keeping may include risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens from animals to humans e.g. anthrax, leptospirosis, trypanosomiasis, rabies,—many of which are neglected[11], food-borne diseases e.g. cysticercosis, taeniosis, cryptosporidiosis and brucellosis, development of ...
How does factory farming affect farmers?
Factory farms contribute to air pollution by releasing compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and methane . The US Department of Agriculture estimates that confined farm animals generate more than 450 million tonnes of manure annually, 3 times more raw waste than generated by Americans.
How does factory farming affect the meat?
Factory-like farms radically increased the number of cows, chickens and pigs they could raise and slaughter with economic efficiency . This is one reason meat consumption rose sharply in the United States after the war.
How does living near the factory harm?
Air Pollution
The toxic gases that factories release into the air, combined with those added by automobiles on the road, mean that we have an increased risk of developing chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease and many other illnesses, diseases and conditions.
How does farms affect the environment?
Agriculture is the leading source of pollution in many countries. Pesticides, fertilizers and other toxic farm chemicals can poison fresh water, marine ecosystems, air and soil . They also can remain in the environment for generations.
How do factories harm the environment?
Factories negatively impact the environment through air pollutant emissions, toxic waste disposal and water contamination . Besides, they’re also the major offenders when it comes to greenhouse gas contributions. Factories alone are responsible for nearly two-thirds of the emissions to blame for global climate change.
Why is factory farming controversial?
Human Health Impacts of Factory Farming
Several major human health concerns are associated with intensive farming, including increased transfer of infectious agents from animals to humans, antibiotic resistance, food-borne illness, and the generation of novel viruses like H1N1 (swine flu) in pigs .
Why should factory farming be banned?
Factory farms pollute the environment and our drinking water, ravage rural communities, and harm the welfare of animals —while increasing corporate control over our food. Factory farming is an unsustainable method of raising food animals that concentrates large numbers of animals into confined spaces.
How many farm animals are killed each year?
According to one estimate, 200 million land animals are slaughtered around the world every single day. That’s 72 billion a year. In the United States alone, roughly 25 million animals are slaughtered every single day.
What are three reasons factory farming harms animals or the environment?
- Air pollution. Air pollution is the result of confining huge numbers of animals within small areas and indoor spaces. ...
- Water pollution. ...
- Global warming. ...
- Deforestation. ...
- Water use. ...
- Wildlife and biodiversity. ...
- Oceans and fisheries. ...
- Rural communities.
Is factory farming cruel?
Factory farming is the main cause of animal suffering and abuse . These silent victims have been converted into machines that generate meat, milk, and eggs. These animals are sentient beings with a desire to live, but we take that life away.
How does factory farming affect communities?
Social scientists have found that factory farms cause a loss of social cohesion while dramatically reducing the quality of life of neighbors , who can’t even open their windows, host guests, or enjoy sitting outside.
