摘要：Abstract
In several regions worldwide, the presence of livestock in close proximity to residential areas raises questions about public health implications. The rapid expansion of large‐scale livestock farms, increasingly interwoven with urbanized areas, and its potential impact on neighboring residents' health has hardly been accompanied by any research. The current situation in densely populated livestock farming areas could be regarded as a “natural experiment.” Most scientific and public health initiatives have focused on emerging zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance as potential health threats. In this commentary, we emphasize the importance of respiratory health effects of noninfectious air pollutant emissions from livestock farms.
Key Points
The rapid expansion of large‐scale livestock farms near residential areas raises questions about public health implications
A series of recent studies on air pollutant emissions from agriculture emphasize respiratory health risks among neighboring residents
There is a clear need to firmly embed public health perspectives in the decision‐making process in environmental and agricultural planning
Plain Language Summary
In several regions worldwide, in particular, in the Western world and Asia, large‐scale livestock farms are located in densely populated areas. The presence of large numbers of farm animals raises questions about health risks for neighboring residents who are not farmers themselves. Large‐scale livestock farms expanded rapidly in the last few decades, but their potential impact on neighboring residents' health has hardly been accompanied by any research. In our commentary, we argue that the current situation in densely populated livestock farming areas could be regarded as a “natural experiment,” with residents being exposed to potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, and air pollutants. We discuss studies in people living near farms, with examples of infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and transmission of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. It is less well known that people living close to livestock farms are also exposed to air pollutants that may affect the airways, such as fine dust and ammonia. Recent studies have shown that air pollution from livestock farms is associated with a worsening in lung function.
