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Tulbure MG, Caineta J, Cox B, Stehman SV, Ercumen A, Witter R, Emanuel R, Powell DE, Burdette K, White‐Williamson S, Tuberty S. Earth Observation Data to Support Environmental Justice: Linking Non-Permitted Poultry Operations to Social Vulnerability Indices. GEOHEALTH 2024; 8:e2024GH001179. [PMID: 39697399 PMCID: PMC11652945 DOI: 10.1029/2024gh001179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2024] [Revised: 10/29/2024] [Accepted: 11/13/2024] [Indexed: 12/20/2024]
Abstract
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) apply massive amounts of untreated waste to nearby farmlands, with severe environmental health impacts of swine CAFOs and proximity to disadvantaged communities well documented in some US regions. Most studies documenting the impacts of CAFOs rely almost exclusively on CAFO locations known from incomplete public records. Poultry CAFOs generate dry waste and operate without federal permits; thus, their environmental justice (EJ) impacts are undocumented. North Carolina (NC), a leading poultry producer, has seen a significant increase in poultry CAFOs, particularly since the 1997 swine CAFO moratorium. Using literature-derived heuristics, this study refined the locations of poultry CAFOs derived based on Earth Observation (EO) data and deep learning, reducing the overestimation of poultry CAFO density by 54% after heuristic adjustments. We removed 51.8% of misclassified features in NC and 61.5% across the US, significantly improving data set accuracy. Spatial analysis, including Local Indicators of Spatial Association, revealed that poultry CAFOs often cluster in census tracts with high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores, indicating potential EJ issues. Notably, one-third of NC's census tracts with high poultry CAFO density also have high SVI, primarily in rural eastern regions. Similar patterns were observed in the South and Southeast of the US. However, not all high-density CAFO areas correspond with high SVI, suggesting a complex relationship between CAFO locations and community vulnerabilities. This study highlights the critical need for comprehensive, high-quality data on unpermitted poultry CAFOs derived using AI algorithms to fully understand their impacts on communities and accurately inform EJ evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirela G. Tulbure
- Center for Geospatial AnalyticsNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - Júlio Caineta
- Center for Geospatial AnalyticsNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - Brooke Cox
- Center for Geospatial AnalyticsNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - Stephen V. Stehman
- College of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNYUSA
| | - Ayse Ercumen
- Department of Forestry and Environmental ResourcesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - Rebecca Witter
- Department of Sustainable DevelopmentAppalachian State UniversityBooneNCUSA
| | - Ryan Emanuel
- Nicholas School of the EnvironmentDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Dana E. Powell
- Graduate Institute of Medical HumanitiesTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | | | | | - Shea Tuberty
- Department of BiologyAppalachian State UniversityBooneNCUSA
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2
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Pohl E, Lee SR. Local and Global Public Health and Emissions from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in the USA: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:916. [PMID: 39063493 PMCID: PMC11276819 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21070916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Up to 1.6 million tons of waste is produced annually by each of more than 21,000 concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) located in the United States (USA). These operations give rise to externalities, including adverse local and global health impacts from CAFO waste emissions, which can potentially outweigh their economic viability. However, a shortage of evidence synthesis research exclusively on the impacts of USA-based CAFO waste emissions may hinder effective policy development. This scoping review (ScR) study, adhering to the guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute, conducted a search in databases including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase in May 2020, resulting in ten publications that met the inclusion criteria. The results suggest possible exposure of CAFO workers to multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDRSA), campylobacteriosis, and cryptosporidiosis. Communities near CAFOs experienced higher rates of adverse health impacts compared to those in non-CAFO areas, with patterns suggesting that proximity may correlate with increased odds of detrimental health effects. Implicit global health threats include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), MDRSA, campylobacteriosis, tuberculosis, and cryptosporidiosis. These studies provide foundational insights into CAFO proximity, density patterns, and adverse public health effects, indicating a need for evidence-informed environmental health policies to minimize local and global risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Pohl
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Sang-Ryong Lee
- Aero-Soil Laboratory, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
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Bauer CD, Mosley DD, Samuelson DR, Poole JA, Smith DR, Knoell DL, Wyatt TA. Zinc Protects against Swine Barn Dust-Induced Cilia Slowing. Biomolecules 2024; 14:843. [PMID: 39062557 PMCID: PMC11274422 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Agricultural workers exposed to organic dust from swine concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have increased chances of contracting chronic lung disease. Mucociliary clearance represents a first line of defense against inhaled dusts, but organic dust extracts (ODEs) from swine barns cause cilia slowing, leading to decreased bacterial clearance and increased lung inflammation. Because nutritional zinc deficiency is associated with chronic lung disease, we examined the role of zinc supplementation in ODE-mediated cilia slowing. Ciliated mouse tracheal epithelial cells were pretreated with 0-10 µg/mL ZinProTM for 1 h, followed by treatment with 5% ODE for 24 h. Cilia beat frequency (CBF) and protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) activity were assayed. ODE treatment resulted in cilia slowing after 24 h, which was reversed with 0.5 and 1.0 µg/mL ZinPro pre-treatment. No zinc protection was observed at 50 ng/mL, and ciliated cells detached at high concentrations (100 µg/mL). ZinPro alone produced no changes in the baseline CBF and showed no toxicity to the cells at concentrations of up to 10 µg/mL. Pre-treatment with ZinPro inhibited ODE-stimulated PKCε activation in a dose-dependent manner. Based on ZinPro's superior cell permeability compared to zinc salts, it may be therapeutically more effective at reversing ODE-mediated cilia slowing through a PKCε pathway. These data demonstrate that zinc supplementation may support the mucociliary transport apparatus in the protection of CAFO workers against dust-mediated chronic lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D. Bauer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985910 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (C.D.B.); (D.D.M.); (D.R.S.)
| | - Deanna D. Mosley
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985910 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (C.D.B.); (D.D.M.); (D.R.S.)
| | - Derrick R. Samuelson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985910 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (C.D.B.); (D.D.M.); (D.R.S.)
| | - Jill A. Poole
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy & Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA;
| | - Deandra R. Smith
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (D.R.S.); (D.L.K.)
| | - Daren L. Knoell
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (D.R.S.); (D.L.K.)
| | - Todd A. Wyatt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985910 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (C.D.B.); (D.D.M.); (D.R.S.)
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
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Gigot C, Lowman A, Ceryes CA, Hall DJ, Heaney CD. Industrial Hog Operation Workers' Perspectives on Occupational Exposure to Zoonotic Pathogens: A Qualitative Pilot Study in North Carolina, USA. New Solut 2024; 33:209-219. [PMID: 38062664 DOI: 10.1177/10482911231217055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Industrial hog operation (IHO) workers face a range of occupational hazards, including exposure to zoonotic pathogens such as livestock-associated antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and swine-origin influenza viruses with epidemic or pandemic potential. To better understand this population's occupational exposure to zoonotic pathogens, we conducted a community-driven qualitative research study in eastern North Carolina. We completed in-depth interviews with ten IHO workers and used thematic analysis to identify and analyze patterns of responses. Workers described direct and indirect occupational contact with hogs, with accompanying potential for dermal, ingestion, and inhalation exposures to zoonotic pathogens. Workers also described potential take-home pathways, wherein they could transfer livestock-associated pathogens and other contaminants from IHOs to their families and communities. Findings warrant future research, and suggest that more restrictive policies on antimicrobials, stronger health and safety regulations, and better policies and practices across all IHOs could afford greater protection against worker and take-home zoonotic pathogen exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Gigot
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy Lowman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Caitlin A Ceryes
- Department of Health Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
| | - Devon J Hall
- Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help, Warsaw, NC, USA
| | - Christopher D Heaney
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Community Science and Innovation for Environmental Justice Initiative, Center for a Livable Future, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MA, USA
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Vora NM, Hannah L, Walzer C, Vale MM, Lieberman S, Emerson A, Jennings J, Alders R, Bonds MH, Evans J, Chilukuri B, Cook S, Sizer NC, Epstein JH. Interventions to Reduce Risk for Pathogen Spillover and Early Disease Spread to Prevent Outbreaks, Epidemics, and Pandemics. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1-9. [PMID: 36823026 PMCID: PMC9973692 DOI: 10.3201/eid2903.221079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogens that cause most emerging infectious diseases in humans originate in animals, particularly wildlife, and then spill over into humans. The accelerating frequency with which humans and domestic animals encounter wildlife because of activities such as land-use change, animal husbandry, and markets and trade in live wildlife has created growing opportunities for pathogen spillover. The risk of pathogen spillover and early disease spread among domestic animals and humans, however, can be reduced by stopping the clearing and degradation of tropical and subtropical forests, improving health and economic security of communities living in emerging infectious disease hotspots, enhancing biosecurity in animal husbandry, shutting down or strictly regulating wildlife markets and trade, and expanding pathogen surveillance. We summarize expert opinions on how to implement these goals to prevent outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics.
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Otero AM, Antonson AM. At the crux of maternal immune activation: Viruses, microglia, microbes, and IL-17A. Immunol Rev 2022; 311:205-223. [PMID: 35979731 PMCID: PMC9804202 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation during prenatal development can be detrimental to neurodevelopmental processes, increasing the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. Prenatal exposure to maternal viral infection during pregnancy is a leading environmental risk factor for manifestation of these disorders. Preclinical animal models of maternal immune activation (MIA), established to investigate this link, have revealed common immune and microbial signaling pathways that link mother and fetus and set the tone for prenatal neurodevelopment. In particular, maternal intestinal T helper 17 cells, educated by endogenous microbes, appear to be key drivers of effector IL-17A signals capable of reaching the fetal brain and causing neuropathologies. Fetal microglial cells are particularly sensitive to maternally derived inflammatory and microbial signals, and they shift their functional phenotype in response to MIA. Resulting cortical malformations and miswired interneuron circuits cause aberrant offspring behaviors that recapitulate core symptoms of human neurodevelopmental disorders. Still, the popular use of "sterile" immunostimulants to initiate MIA has limited translation to the clinic, as these stimulants fail to capture biologically relevant innate and adaptive inflammatory sequelae induced by live pathogen infection. Thus, there is a need for more translatable MIA models, with a focus on relevant pathogens like seasonal influenza viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M. Otero
- Neuroscience ProgramUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Adrienne M. Antonson
- Department of Animal SciencesUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
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Pandey S, Kalwa U, Kong T, Guo B, Gauger PC, Peters DJ, Yoon KJ. Behavioral Monitoring Tool for Pig Farmers: Ear Tag Sensors, Machine Intelligence, and Technology Adoption Roadmap. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2665. [PMID: 34573631 PMCID: PMC8466302 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Precision swine production can benefit from autonomous, noninvasive, and affordable devices that conduct frequent checks on the well-being status of pigs. Here, we present a remote monitoring tool for the objective measurement of some behavioral indicators that may help in assessing the health and welfare status-namely, posture, gait, vocalization, and external temperature. The multiparameter electronic sensor board is characterized by laboratory measurements and by animal tests. Relevant behavioral health indicators are discussed for implementing machine learning algorithms and decision support tools to detect animal lameness, lethargy, pain, injury, and distress. The roadmap for technology adoption is also discussed, along with challenges and the path forward. The presented technology can potentially lead to efficient management of farm animals, targeted focus on sick animals, medical cost savings, and less use of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Pandey
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Upender Kalwa
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Taejoon Kong
- Center for Defense Acquisition and Requirements Analysis, Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, 37 Hoegi-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02455, Korea;
| | - Baoqing Guo
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (B.G.); (P.C.G.)
| | - Phillip C. Gauger
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (B.G.); (P.C.G.)
| | - David J. Peters
- Rural Sociology, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Kyoung-Jin Yoon
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (B.G.); (P.C.G.)
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