265001 A health impact assessment of a proposed poultry litter to energy facility in the Shenandoah Valley, VA

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM

Benjamin Evans, MHSA , Center on Human Needs, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Steven Woolf, MD , Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Family Medicine, Fairfax, VA
Greg Garman, PhD , Center on Environmental Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University Center on Environmental Studies, Richmond, VA
Leonard Vance, JD, PhD, PE, CIH , Center on Environmental Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Cliff Fox, PhD, JD , Center on Environmental Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
William Shuart, MS , Center on Environmental Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
     
Objective: To provide information to the public and decision makers about the health impacts associated with poultry litter management in the Shenandoah Valley.

Methods: Engagement from community residents, stakeholders, and policy makers was sought to inform priorities for analysis of the health impacts of land application of poultry litter versus the conversion of poultry litter to energy via a large centralized power facility. Using data on the arsenic, selenium, and cadmium content of poultry litter, we quantified the aerosolized heavy metal emission anticipated from poultry litter combustion along with other expected emissions and ran an air model to identify the community most affected. Using a comprehensive literature review, we applied altered risk ratios to the impacted population based on changes in environmental, economic, and social risks associated with poultry litter management. We also ran a sensitivity analysis to determine the most important factors associated with management.

Results: The current practice of land application affects health through deteriorated air and drinking water as well as affecting tourism and fishing industries in the watershed and decreasing property value around the Bay. Energy conversion technologies ameliorate some risks but they also introduce risks through increased emissions and higher fertilizer costs. Health outcomes are particular sensitive to the amount of heavy metals released during combustion.

Conclusions: Alternatives to land application for poultry litter management in high density poultry farming areas are necessary to improve water quality. Energy conversion technologies, however, require close monitoring in order to prevent the introduction of increased risks.

Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the comparative health impacts of various poultry litter management techniques. 2. Identify health risks associated with changes in the economics of the agriculture, tourism, and fishing industries. 3. Identify health risks associated with changes in the social environment from the construction of a large biomass facility in a community. 4. Describe regulatory and statutory recommendations to limit risks associated with poultry litter management.

Keywords: Environment, Animal Waste

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the project director for a health impact assessment of a large, centralized, poultry litter to energy facility proposed in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. My research background has centered around how policy outside of the health care system impacts health. I have previously presented at APHA and other conferences on research we have conducted regarding social determinants of health.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Sustainable Chesapeake Poultry Litter to Energy My wife is the sole owner of this LLC

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.

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