Student Clinic

Controlling Odor and Gaseous Emission Problems from Industrial Swine Facilities: A Handbook for All Interested Parties

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Throughout the ages, industrialization has continually symbolized economic growth and increased social development in socioeconomically deprived locales. However, environmental degradation, increases in pollution-related health problems and destruction of indigenous community values oftentimes follow closely on the heels of industrialization. The situation is no different in the scenario of industrial swine production. The swine industry is continuing to move further away from traditional methods of hog farming, adopting assembly-line methods of corporate, large-scale production, where hog "farms" have metamorphosed into swine "factories". The number of hog farmers selling fewer than 1,000 hogs annually has declined 73 percent from 1969, while the number of producers selling more than 1,000 hogs has increased by 320 percent (Grimes, 1998).

In addition, newly imposed swine facility regulations in the eastern U.S have prompted a ‘westward expansion’ of these large-scale facilities, where the lax environmental regulations of states such as Oklahoma have acted as a magnet for corporate swine production (Stephens, 1997). It is debatable whether the introduction of these facilities have generated new jobs and economic development in the communities upon which they have descended; however, it is indisputable that the odors and gases emitted from these facilities have drastically altered the quality of life in neighboring communities. Odors and gases emanating from swine "factories" have yet to be regulated or controlled in Oklahoma; thus, residents living downwind from these facilities have no recourse for altering their malodorous living conditions.

This paper addresses the complex odor issues associated with large-scale swine production in both Oklahoma and other states. Section 2.0 provides an overview of the nature and effects of these odors and gases, while Section 3.0 outlines the different odor-reduction technologies available to corporate swine producers. Section 4.0 offers an account of both existing odor and gas regulations in various states and countries, and the laws that have expedited this regulatory process. Finally, Section 5.0 will present conclusions as to how neighboring communities and swine producers can move forward in the pursuit of regulating and alleviating the odor and gas problems associated with industrial swine production.

• Part 2 - Odors and Gases: An Overview

• Table of Contents

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