220996 What stinks? Understanding concentrated animal feeding operations and their impact on local communities

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM

Carrie Hribar, MA , National Association of Local Boards of Health, Bowling Green, OH
Marita Sommer, MPH , National Association of Local Boards of Health, Washington, DC
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are a specific type of large-scale industrial agricultural facility that raises animals, usually at high-density, for the consumption of meat, eggs or milk. CAFOs can severely reduce air and water quality in the surrounding communities, as well as cause human health problems. The effects CAFOs have on communities make them ripe for local monitoring and regulation; however, state and federal laws can hinder local efforts. This presentation will detail the environmental health effects of CAFOs, the various federal and state regulations regarding CAFOs, and the actions that boards of health can take when faced with CAFOs in their community.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Environmental health sciences
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the effects that concentrated animal feeding operations or large industrial animal farms have on the environment and community health. 2. Explain the federal and state laws and regulations that can affect local monitoring or permitting of CAFOs or large industrial animal farms. 3. Describe what actions board of health members can take towards CAFOs in their communities and share example case studies from local boards of health.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Local Public Health Agencies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have experience doing education and training for NALBOH.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.