Food & Travel...

The Ethicurean reported yesterday on the dangers of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). After some grisly stories about the dangers of working around huge animal farms—namely toxic, even deadly, manure fumes—blogger Elanor discusses the danger that CAFOs pose to humans. Painting the full picture: “Across the country, CAFOs generate over 500 million tons of manure each year, three times more than all U.S. human residents.” All that manure produces gas that harms the workers and neighbors, in ways that I’d never read before: CAFO workers and people living nearby who breathe the gases wafting downwind suffer from respiratory problems, memory loss, nervous system impairment, mood disorders, and death. Here’s what Washington has had to say about this issue: In 2005, Senator Craig (R-ID) wanted to exempt CAFOs from air emissions reporting requirements (the bill failed).In 2006, Reps. Blount (R-MO) and Hall (R-TX) wanted to “exempt manure from being considered a ‘hazardous substance’” (their bill also failed).Tomorrow, March 27, 2008 the EPA has proposed changes to air emissions rules from CAFOs that bring back Craig’s 2005 proposal (and bypasses the legislative branch). Protest at This Web Site or, if you want to learn more before taking action, read the full Ethicurean blog post Smells Like a Free Ride for more information and a primer on how to leave comments for our dear EPA as they go into making this decision. It’s not a pretty picture (or a pleasant smelling one) but you can help to change it!Photo Credit: The Ethicurean