Iowa Hog Confinements Built at Record Paceby Perry Beeman, Des Moines Register.com
The number of large sites continues to grow, despite their neighbors' concerns
Iowa this year set a record for new large-scale livestock confinements, as neighbors and critics continue to complain about pollution risks and fight the industry trend toward larger operations.
...The risks are documented. Studies . . . have associated hog confinements with neighbors' complaints of nausea, respiratory problems, headaches, depression and diarrhea. The University of Iowa estimated hog confinements emit more than 100 chemicals and compounds, including hydrogen sulfide and ammonia.
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Also, according to the DMReg, the list of dangers from hog confinements includes:
HYDROGEN SULFIDE: At even low levels, hydrogen sulfide can cause eye irritation, dizziness, coughing and headaches. At higher levels, most often found inside or in confined spaces, it can kill, as it did in Des Moines when two sewer workers were overcome by the fumes in July, 2002.
AMMONIA: It can cause respiratory problems, and death at high levels.
METHANE: The greenhouse gas contributes to global climate change. It can be burned for power, if collected, and can smother at high levels.
ENDOTOXINS: The cell walls of these bacteria can lead to
respiratory problems.
TETRACHLOROETHYLENE: These are associated with cancers, kidney and liver trouble, eye and lung irritation, headaches and neurological problems at high concentrations.
