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04-24-06, 11:07 AM
Sierra Club Announces the Release of “Living a Nightmare: Animal Factories in Michigan”
“Living a Nightmare, Animal Factories in Michigan,” relates the horrors of living in a community literally swimming in animal sewage from 12 polluting Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The video, in DVD format, is available from the Sierra Club for $10.
The powerful 22 minute video documents the water pollution, the un-breathable air, the intimidation and economic damages inflicted upon Michigan citizens by more than 200 CAFOs. According to Sierra Club director Anne Woiwode, “What is happening in Hillsdale and Lenawee counties is not unique in Michigan. The pollution and economic decline caused by CAFOs is happening all over the state, wherever CAFOs exist.”
“CAFO neighbors suffer the most severe consequences from poisoned air and water, but everyone is at risk, says Woiwode. “Communities that draw their drinking water from surface waters or wells downstream from CAFOs are at risk, as is anyone who uses downstream waters for fishing or swimming.
“Fecal bacteria from CAFO waste is dangerous on its own, but it can also contain far more dangerous pathogens, such as cryptosporidium.” Cryptosporidium in the public water supply was blamed for causing over 400,000 illnesses in Milwaukee, WI in 2003. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the outbreak racked up $96.2 million in medical costs and productivity losses.
The video begins with graphic footage of black, liquid manure spewing from giant irrigators onto a corn field. One disturbing piece of footage follows another as huge tanker trucks dump millions of gallons of liquid manure on frozen fields and public streams run black with bacteria laden sewage.
“If this were a city, and people were having symptoms from something coming out of a smokestack, they’d evacuate. They don’t even investigate in the rural areas,” begins Kathy Melmoth, a full time farmer and registered nurse in Pittsford, MI.
Melmoth has been tracking illnesses reported to her by surrounding residents, and she’s concerned. She hears complaints of burning eyes, breathing difficulty, sinus problems and nausea. She mentions the dead cow parts she’s seen illegally dumped in local fields and massive over-application of liquid manure on area fields, resulting in fly infestations that plagued the area for weeks on end.
Melmoth’s observations are backed up by Dr. Leland Wolf, a practicing family physician in Pittsford who treats many patients affected by CAFO pollution. "I'm afraid we're going to have a major outbreak of infection and I'm afraid we'll be unprepared to deal with it. There is no question in my mind that CAFOs are a danger to those that are in close proximity to them, and I think CAFOs are a danger to people who live downriver from them.”
Long time rural residents Mary Lou and Floyd McVay of Morenci tell of their shattered hopes to sell their home in order to retire up north. Glancing at the massive steel barns that house 4,000 hogs a couple hundred feet from their back door, Mary Lou explains, “Nobody is going to buy our house knowing what we’re going through.”
Noxious odors penetrate every corner of their home, and squealing pigs and a constant roar of exhaust fans have destroyed the McVay’s home and future retirement. Their grandchildren can’t even visit due to the horrible odors and their justifiable fears of breathing air laden with poisonous ammonia, methane and hydrogen sulfide.
Family turkey farmers John and Peggy Zachel have farmed their land around the corner from the McVays for 50 years. A few years ago, despite the vigorous protests of neighbors, the CAFOs moved in. “There are, within 1/2 mile here, 8,000 hogs. Can you imagine what it is doing to the water supply?”
Family farmer Dean Henning breaks down as he tries to describe the terrible impacts of a nearby CAFO on his parents Gerald and Lia Henning, also lifelong farmers, in Clayton, MI. Stories of intimidation, including the constant over-application of liquid manure surrounding the Henning farm, has led the Hennings to believe the owners of the nearby dairy CAFO are purposely trying to drive them off their land. Repeated complaints to the state, a long list of violations and even lawsuits have not put a stop to the horrific pollution. Both the senior Hennings have been diagnosed with hydrogen sulfide poisoning – a toxic gas that causes irreversible nervous system damage.
According to the Sierra Club, all CAFOs pollute. “We’ve investigated CAFOs throughout the state, and the story is always the same,” said Woiwode. “CAFOs simply cannot operate without polluting and they are causing serious health risks to Michigan residents.”
The Sierra Club hopes the release of "Living a Nightmare: Animal Factories in Michigan" will help spread the word about the impacts of animal factories in Michigan. Our ultimate goal is to see these facilities adequately regulated to protect Michigan’s public health and environment. To learn more about the issue or how you can help, contact Legislative Director Gayle Miller.
http://michigan.sierraclub.org/issues/cafos/index.shtml
“Living a Nightmare, Animal Factories in Michigan,” relates the horrors of living in a community literally swimming in animal sewage from 12 polluting Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The video, in DVD format, is available from the Sierra Club for $10.
The powerful 22 minute video documents the water pollution, the un-breathable air, the intimidation and economic damages inflicted upon Michigan citizens by more than 200 CAFOs. According to Sierra Club director Anne Woiwode, “What is happening in Hillsdale and Lenawee counties is not unique in Michigan. The pollution and economic decline caused by CAFOs is happening all over the state, wherever CAFOs exist.”
“CAFO neighbors suffer the most severe consequences from poisoned air and water, but everyone is at risk, says Woiwode. “Communities that draw their drinking water from surface waters or wells downstream from CAFOs are at risk, as is anyone who uses downstream waters for fishing or swimming.
“Fecal bacteria from CAFO waste is dangerous on its own, but it can also contain far more dangerous pathogens, such as cryptosporidium.” Cryptosporidium in the public water supply was blamed for causing over 400,000 illnesses in Milwaukee, WI in 2003. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the outbreak racked up $96.2 million in medical costs and productivity losses.
The video begins with graphic footage of black, liquid manure spewing from giant irrigators onto a corn field. One disturbing piece of footage follows another as huge tanker trucks dump millions of gallons of liquid manure on frozen fields and public streams run black with bacteria laden sewage.
“If this were a city, and people were having symptoms from something coming out of a smokestack, they’d evacuate. They don’t even investigate in the rural areas,” begins Kathy Melmoth, a full time farmer and registered nurse in Pittsford, MI.
Melmoth has been tracking illnesses reported to her by surrounding residents, and she’s concerned. She hears complaints of burning eyes, breathing difficulty, sinus problems and nausea. She mentions the dead cow parts she’s seen illegally dumped in local fields and massive over-application of liquid manure on area fields, resulting in fly infestations that plagued the area for weeks on end.
Melmoth’s observations are backed up by Dr. Leland Wolf, a practicing family physician in Pittsford who treats many patients affected by CAFO pollution. "I'm afraid we're going to have a major outbreak of infection and I'm afraid we'll be unprepared to deal with it. There is no question in my mind that CAFOs are a danger to those that are in close proximity to them, and I think CAFOs are a danger to people who live downriver from them.”
Long time rural residents Mary Lou and Floyd McVay of Morenci tell of their shattered hopes to sell their home in order to retire up north. Glancing at the massive steel barns that house 4,000 hogs a couple hundred feet from their back door, Mary Lou explains, “Nobody is going to buy our house knowing what we’re going through.”
Noxious odors penetrate every corner of their home, and squealing pigs and a constant roar of exhaust fans have destroyed the McVay’s home and future retirement. Their grandchildren can’t even visit due to the horrible odors and their justifiable fears of breathing air laden with poisonous ammonia, methane and hydrogen sulfide.
Family turkey farmers John and Peggy Zachel have farmed their land around the corner from the McVays for 50 years. A few years ago, despite the vigorous protests of neighbors, the CAFOs moved in. “There are, within 1/2 mile here, 8,000 hogs. Can you imagine what it is doing to the water supply?”
Family farmer Dean Henning breaks down as he tries to describe the terrible impacts of a nearby CAFO on his parents Gerald and Lia Henning, also lifelong farmers, in Clayton, MI. Stories of intimidation, including the constant over-application of liquid manure surrounding the Henning farm, has led the Hennings to believe the owners of the nearby dairy CAFO are purposely trying to drive them off their land. Repeated complaints to the state, a long list of violations and even lawsuits have not put a stop to the horrific pollution. Both the senior Hennings have been diagnosed with hydrogen sulfide poisoning – a toxic gas that causes irreversible nervous system damage.
According to the Sierra Club, all CAFOs pollute. “We’ve investigated CAFOs throughout the state, and the story is always the same,” said Woiwode. “CAFOs simply cannot operate without polluting and they are causing serious health risks to Michigan residents.”
The Sierra Club hopes the release of "Living a Nightmare: Animal Factories in Michigan" will help spread the word about the impacts of animal factories in Michigan. Our ultimate goal is to see these facilities adequately regulated to protect Michigan’s public health and environment. To learn more about the issue or how you can help, contact Legislative Director Gayle Miller.
http://michigan.sierraclub.org/issues/cafos/index.shtml