Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Proposed EPA Rule Ignores Health Risks
A new EPA rule proposed to regulate factory farms falls disappointingly short of protecting the environment and more importantly public health. The rule fails to force factory farms to prevent pathogens—disease-causing bacteria, parasites and viruses—from entering waterways. According to the EPA’s own estimates the 2.7 trillion pounds of waste produced each year by factory farms has already contaminated approximately 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and drinking water in 17 states. By not addressing pathogens the EPA has failed to take action to address real health risks for people who might come into contact with these waters.
The rule also allows factory farms to decide for themselves whether or not they need to apply for a Clean Water Act permit. Since factory farms are unlikely to own up to discharging pollution, the under-funded agencies now in charge of the permits will likely have difficulties holding factory farms accountable for their pollution.
The public has until August 14 to comment on this proposed rule.
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/aforule.cfm