Concentrated Animal Feeding Research Paper

Runoff from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, farms where animals are fed a plethora of drugs including antibiotics and hormones, are contributing large amounts of drug contamination to the water supply (Powell). Much of this runoff comes from biowaste and manure produced by large farm animals. It has been found that states with more CAFOs experience higher numbers of contamination problems every year (Hribar). The waste that these farm animals produce not only contains hormones, but more significantly, dangerous nitrates. According to the EPA, “Animal agriculture manure is a primary source of nitrogen and phosphorus to surface and groundwater” (Estimate). The nitrogen produced naturally in addition to that excreted from animals becomes dangerous because it is soluble, and it easily infiltrates the animals and the water supply. Nitrogen (N2) is converted to nitrate (NO3-) is multiple ways, a

N.d. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policy- data/estimated-animal-agriculture-nitrogen-and-phosphorus-manure> Hribar, Carrie. Understanding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Their Impact on

Communities. National Association of Local Boards of Health. N.d. Center for Disease

Control. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/docs/understanding_cafos_nalboh.pdf . PDF.

“Manure Chemistry – Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Carbon.” Natural Resources Conservation

Service. August 2007. Manure Management Technology Development Team East

National Technology Support Center. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_043440.pdf. PDF

“Nitrogen and Water.” United States Geological Survey. 17 January 2017. https://water.usgs.gov/edu/nitrogen.html Powell, Laurie. Are You Drinking Prescription Drugs in Your Tap Water. Focus for Health. 29

November 2016.