Department of Health and Human Services

Public Health and the health impact of animal agricultural waste

The population of animals used for food production has grown in North Carolina over the years. With the increased numbers of animals has come an increase in the amount of waste produced. At the same time, there has been a decline in the amount of available farmland and vacant land on which to dispose of the waste. Animal agricultural waste must be handled efficiently to prevent adverse human health effects.

The agricultural industry has evolved over the years to meet the needs of the state’s and nation’s growing population. The method of production of food animals, especially pork and poultry, has changed from small family farm operations to industrial-style production known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) or Intensive Livestock Operations (ILOs).  This mass production of animals creates a large amount of waste in a small area.  The most recent estimate (2008-2009) of the population of livestock and poultry animals in North Carolina determined there are approximately 800 million chickens, 40 million turkeys, 10 million hogs, 900,000 cattle and 100,000 goats and sheep in North Carolina. (www.ncagr.gov/stats/livestock/index.htm)

Most animal waste in North Carolina is applied to land to serve as fertilizer.  However, over-application or improper disposal of animal waste may lead to contamination of nearby surface and ground waters with pathogens and chemicals such as nitrates, phosphorous, metals and antibiotics. That, in turn, may cause algal blooms in surface water and contamination of ground water used for drinking.

Excess nitrates in ground water may cause a condition known as blue baby syndrome in infants, in which the blood is not able to carry enough oxygen. Microbial contamination of drinking water may cause gastrointestinal illness in people consuming the water. The development of antibiotic resistant microorganisms is another issue. There is also concern that various gases generated from animal operations and waste application can produce odors that may affect the health and quality of life among people living near these CAFOs. If waste is not properly managed, there may also be an increase in nuisance vectors such as flies. For more information on the effects of waste mismanagement, see the EPA’s Region 9 Animal Waste website.

The N.C. Division of Public Health assesses public health effects from animal agricultural and municipal biosolids in the following areas:

• Nitrate contamination of private drinking wells
• Health concerns from exposure to odors and other air contaminants
• Health and quality of life among people living near ILOs

If you have concerns your drinking water may be contaminated, call staff in the Medical Evaluation and Risk Assessment Unit of the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch at 919-707-5900.

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