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Dana Cole,¹ Lori Todd,² and Steve Wing¹

¹Department of Epidemiology, ²Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

Abstract

Recent industry changes in swine-management practices have resulted in a growing controversy surrounding the environmental and public health effects of modern swine production. The numerous wastes produced by intensive swine production not only pose a significant challenge to effective environmental management but also are associated with decreased air quality in confinement houses, potentially transferable antimicrobial resistance patterns, and several infectious agents that can be pathogenic to humans. Published studies have documented a variety of contaminants, microbial agents, and health effects in those occupationally exposed to swine, and these have provided the groundwork for an increasing body of research to evaluate possible community health effects. Nonetheless, several factors limit our ability to define and quantify the potential role of intensive swine-rearing facilities in occupational and community health. Our incomplete understanding and ability to detect specific exposures ; the complicated nature of disease etiology, pathogenesis, and surveillance ; and the inherent difficulties associated with study design all contribute to the inadequate level of knowledge that currently prevails. However, an evaluation of the published literature, and a recognition of the elements that may be compromising these studies, provides the foundation from which future studies may develop. Key words: air quality, air sampling, CAFOs, community health, occupational health, hygiene, industrial wastes, swine production. Environ Health Perspect 108:685-699 (2000) . [Online 21 June 2000]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/108p685-699cole/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to D.J. Cole, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, CB#7400 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400. Telephone: (919) 966-7316. Fax: (919) 966-2089. E-mail: dcole@email.unc.edu

We thank K. Mottus for assistance in preparing this manuscript.

This research was supported by grant R25-ES08206-04 under the Environmental Justice: Partnerships for Communication program of the NIEHS.

Received 10 January 2000 ; accepted 10 April 2000.