Just for some context, this is by no means an isolated case; animal farms have aĀ devastating impact on their surrounding communities. Large farming facilities produce more than 400 different gases, all as a result of the amount of waste they produce, which pollutes local streams and waterways. The real concerns Ā are hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide. Communities surrounding these facilities are constantly close to hydrogen sulfide, a gas that can cause flu-like symptoms, while high concentrations or exposure can lead to brain damage. Methane can lead to vision problems, heart palpitations, brain damage, trouble breathing, and, with enough exposure, death.Ā
Animal agriculture industries and councils know this, and so establish them in communities least likely to be able to mount a legal challenge. This means that these facilities disproportionately effect impoverished communities and people of colour, andĀ counties with larger black and lationo populations are home to more factory farms. When these facilities are established, they immediatelyĀ drive down land valuesĀ due to the known health issues they cause, meaning thatĀ many residents can no longer afford to sell their homes and relocate.
When people try to speak out against these corrupt industries either on behalf of these communities or on behalf of animals, theyĀ are met with legal action and often even criminal charges. These āag-gagā laws are devastating for the human victims of animal agriculture as well for farmed animals, but the the meat and dairy industries have such an enormously powerful political lobby that they are able to influence politicians into passing legislation which best serves their own interests, at the cost of human and animal lives.Ā