Livestock farming and atmospheric emissions

Ig Sanita Pubbl. 2013 Jul-Aug;69(4):445-57.

Abstract

Livestock farming produces atmospheric emissions that may pose a risk to workers and a disturbance to the population. Emissions into the atmosphere produced by livestock farming consist of gases such as ammonia, dust, compounds such as aliphatic hydrocarbons and bio-aerosols formed by microorganisms. Some gases, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, have foul odours and are thus potentially annoying to the population. Gaseous or volatile molecules produced by livestock installations and related activities may have several adverse effects on health and environment. The most significant exposure certainly relates to workers in the confined spaces of farms, rather than to residents in the surrounding areas. In this article we examine potential hazards to farm workers and to the population living in the vicinity of livestock farms, arising from emissions into the atmosphere.

MeSH terms

  • Air Microbiology*
  • Air Pollution / adverse effects*
  • Ammonia / adverse effects
  • Animal Husbandry*
  • Animals
  • Asthma / prevention & control
  • Bronchitis / prevention & control
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Livestock*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Particulate Matter / adverse effects
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / prevention & control
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Particulate Matter
  • Ammonia