Research & Studies

CAFO Research: Air & Water Quality,
Risks to Public Health

ECCSCM brochure of books, films, websites related to CAFOs and sustainable alternatives.

CAFO Videos

Joe Maxwell, Humane Society. USA, 2/10/2013, YouTube Video by hog farmer describes CAFOs and their negative impact on local farmers and the environment (17 minutes)  

Local CAFOs/Western Lake Erie Watersheds

Journal of Environmental Quality: Increased Soluble Phosphorus Loads to Lake Erie: Unintended Consequences of Conservation Practices? (January, 2017)

Water Center, Graham Sustainability Institute, University of Michigan; Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, Ohio State University; LimnoTech; National Center for Water Quality Research, Heidelberg University; The Nature Conservancy; Blackland Research & Extension Center, Texas A&M Agrilife Research; Informing Lake Erie Agriculture Nutrient Management via Scenario Evaluation“, (March, 2016)

Douglas R. Smith, Kevin W. King, and Mark R. Williams, JOURNAL OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION, MARCH/APRIL 2015, What is Causing HABs in Lake Erie March April 2015 Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

AMBIO: A Journal of the Environment, “Phosphorus losses from monitored fields with conservation practices in the Lake Erie Basin, USA“, (2015)

International Joint Commission, “A Balanced Diet for Lake Erie; Reducing Phosphorus Loadings and Harmful Algal Blooms,” (2014)

Ohio Dept of Agriculture, DNR, EPA, Lake Erie Commission,”Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorus Task Force Final Report,” (2010)

Haack & Duris, USGS, “Chemical and Microbiological Water Quality of Subsurface Agricultural Drains…Upper Tiffin Watershed Southeastern Michigan,” (2008)

Horstman, Janelle, BGSU, “The Effects that Liquid Manure and Solid Cattle Manure Have on the Water Quality of Drainage Ditches in Putnam Co, OH,” (Honors Project, 2014)

Michigan DEQ, “Total Maximum Daily Load for Escherichia coli for Lime Creek (Prattville Drain and Lime Lake) Hillsdale County, Michigan,” (2003)

West, et.al. Eastern Michigan University, “Antibiotic Resistance, Gene Transfer, and Water Quality Patterns Observed in Waterways near CAFO Farms and Wastewater Treatment Facilities,” Water Air Soil Pollution (2010)

CAFOs and Community Impact

Center for Disease Control, National Association of Local Boards of Health, “Understanding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Their Impact on Communities“, (2010)

Pew Commission, “Putting Meat on the Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in America“, (2008) 

Sterling, Eric A., Northern Illinois University, “Linkages Between Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Expansion and County Board Politics in Rural Illinois“. (August, 2015)

Public Health Studies

Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR), Minnesota Department of Health, “Exposure Investigation: Excel Dairy, Excel Township, Marshall County, Minnesota” (March, 2009)

Jahne,et al, Clarkson University “Emission and Dispersion of Bioaerosols from Dairy Manure Application Sites: Human Health Risk Assessment Environmental Science & Technology (July, 2015)

Dungan, R. S. “Fate and transport of bioaerosols associated with livestock operations and manures,” Journal of Animal Science (July, 2010)

Duris, J.W., and Beeler, Stephanie, “Fecal-indicator bacteria and Escherichia coli pathogen data collected near a novel sub-irrigation water-treatment system in Lenawee County, Michigan, June–November 2007: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report (2008)

EPA, “Literature Review of Contaminants in Livestock and Poultry Manure and Implications for Water Quality,” (2013)

Florida, Jamie, et al. “Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and High Intensity Animal Production Systems: An Annotated Bibliography” (2008)

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Toxics Steering Group, CAFO Sub-Committee, “Concentrated Animal Feedlot Operations (CAFOs) Chemicals Associated with Air Emissions” (May 10, 2006)

Oun, et al, Michigan State University, et al, “Effects of Biosolids and Manure Application on Microbial Water Quality in Rural Areas in the USWater, (November 28. 2014)

Rose, Joan, and Rachel Katonak, Michigan State University, “Risks to Human Health Associated with Water and Food Contaminated with Animal Wastes,” (2005)

Rose, Joan et al, “Waterborne Pathogens; Where Michigan Stands Now and Recommendations for Our Future,” (2007)

Schinasi, Leah, et al. “Air Pollution, Lung Function, and Physical Symptoms in Communities Near Concentrated Swine Feeding Operations” Epidemiology (March, 2011)

West, Bridgett, et.al. Eastern Michigan University, “Antibiotic Resistance, Gene Transfer, and Water Quality Patterns Observed in Waterways near CAFO Farms and Wastewater Treatment Facilities,” Water Air Soil Pollution (2010)

Williams, D’Ann, et al. “Airborne cow allergen, ammonia and particulate matter at homes vary with distance to industrial scale dairy operations: an exposure assessment,” Environmental Health (August, 2011)

CAFOs and Climate Change Studies

M Saunois, R B Jackson, P Bousque, B Poulterand J G Canadel, “The growing role of methane in anthropogenic climate change“, Environmental Research Letters, December 1,2 2016

Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN, “Livestock’s Long Shadow” – important study of the massive impact of industrialized agriculture on the environment, including climate change (2006)

Robert Goodland and Jeff Anhang, “Livestock and Climate Change,” World Watch (2009)

Lin, Brenda, et.al., “Effects of industrial agriculture on climate change and the mitigation potential of small-scale agro-ecological farms,”Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources (2011)