Editing Intensive pig farming (section)

===Waste management and public health concerns===
Contaminants from animal wastes can enter the environment through pathways such as through leakage of poorly constructed manure lagoons or during major precipitation events resulting in either overflow of lagoons and runoff from recent applications of waste to farm fields, or atmospheric deposition followed by dry or wet fallout. Runoff can leach through permeable soils to vulnerable aquifers that tap ground water sources for human consumption. Runoff of manure can also find its way into surface water such as lakes, streams, and ponds. An example of weather induced runoff having been recently reported in the wake of [[Hurricane Matthew]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/10/16/factory-farming-practices-are-under-scrutiny-again-in-n-c-after-disastrous-hurricane-floods/ |title=Factory farming practices are under scrutiny again in N.C. after disastrous hurricane floods |last1=Hernández |first1=Arelis R. |last2=Fritz |first2=Angela |last3=Mooney |first3=Chris |date=16 October 2016 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=5 September 2024 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017145902/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/10/16/factory-farming-practices-are-under-scrutiny-again-in-n-c-after-disastrous-hurricane-floods/ |archive-date=17 October 2016}}</ref>

Many contaminants are present in livestock wastes, including nutrients, pathogens, veterinary pharmaceuticals and naturally excreted hormones. Improper disposal of animal carcasses and abandoned livestock facilities can also contribute to water quality problems in surrounding areas of CAFOs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Burkholder|first1=JoAnn|last2=Libra|first2=Bob|last3=Weyer|first3=Peter|last4=Heathcote|first4=Susan|last5=Kolpin|first5=Dana|last6=Thorne|first6=Peter S.|last7=Wichman|first7=Michael|date=2007|title=Impacts of Waste from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations on Water Quality|journal=Environmental Health Perspectives|volume=115|issue=2|pages=308–312|doi=10.1289/ehp.8839|issn=0091-6765|pmc=1817674|pmid=17384784|bibcode=2007EnvHP.115..308B }}</ref>

Exposure to waterborne contaminants can result from both recreational use of affected surface water and from ingestion of drinking water derived from either contaminated surface water or ground water. High-Risk populations are generally the very young, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Dermal contact may cause skin, eye, or ear infections. Drinking water exposures to pathogens could occur in vulnerable private wells.<ref name=":1" />

At Varkensproefcentrum Sterksel in the Netherlands, a pig farm has been created that reuses its waste streams. CO<sub>2</sub> and ammonia from the pig manure are reused to grow algae which in turn are used to feed the pigs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://innovatienetwerk.onlinetouch.nl/135/48|title=442 -|website=Innovatienetwek.onlinetouch.nl|access-date=28 July 2017}}</ref>

Another method to reduce the effect on the environment is to switch to other breeds of pig. The [[enviropig]] is a genetically modified type of pig with the capability to digest plant phosphorus more efficiently than ordinary pigs, though the enviropig program ended in 2012 and did not reach commercial distribution.

Nutrient-rich runoff from CAFO's can contribute to [[Algal bloom]]s in rivers, lakes and seas. The 2009 harmful [[algal bloom]] event off the coast of [[Brittany|Brittany, France]] was attributed to runoff from an intensive pig farm.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|last=Chrisafis|first=Angelique|title=Lethal algae take over beaches in northern France|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/aug/10/france-brittany-coast-seaweed-algae|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=October 10, 2013}}</ref>