By Amy Norton
HealthDay reporter
TUESDAY, May 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Steaks and burgers could kill thousands of Americans each year, but in a way most people wouldn’t expect – through air pollution.
This is the finding of a new study that estimates that airborne particles from food production kill nearly 16,000 Americans each year. Pollution from animal products – especially beef – accounts for 80% of these deaths.
“What we eat affects not only our own health, but the health of others as well,” said researcher Jason Hill, professor of organic products and biosystems engineering at the University of Minnesota at St. Paul.
In agriculture, pollutants are produced in many ways. However, Hill’s team specifically focused on its role in particulate matter pollution – tiny substances that float in the air and can be breathed deep into the lungs.
This can be especially dangerous for people with existing heart or lung conditions. According to the World Health Organization, around 7 million people worldwide die from dirty air every year.
continuation
Agricultural activities such as plowing fields, fertilizing crops, and distributing and storing manure all contribute to the generation of fine particulate matter.
The cultivation of plant-based foods creates some pollutants, but not at the animal product level. Not only is there the cattle themselves – think manure – but also the crops that are grown to feed them, Hill said.
Raising cattle requires the most resources and causes the most pollution.
Accordingly, the study found that air pollution related to the production of red meat was causing the greatest damage: the impact on deaths per serving was seven times that of poultry, ten times that of nuts and seeds, and at least 15 times that in other plants food.
“Red meat is such an impact that just reducing our intake could make a big difference,” said Hill.
Gidon Eshel, a researcher who was not involved in the study, agreed.
Beef production “has by far the most environmental and health consequences,” said Eshel, a research professor at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Agriculture is known to contribute to air pollution, Eshel said, and that air pollution contributes to death.
But the new evidence, he said, shows “clearly and numerically” how the nation’s collective diet is contributing to population deaths.
continuation
The study, published May 10 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was funded in part by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Agriculture.
It relied on EPA emissions data to measure the impact of various agricultural activities on air quality in US states. The researchers then used statistical models to estimate the impact of particulate matter pollution from various agricultural sources on annual deaths across the country.
The Verdict: Agriculture produces enough dirty air to kill about 18,000 Americans each year. In particular, ammonia from animal waste and fertilizers is a major culprit, the researchers said.
Of these deaths, the vast majority – nearly 16,000 – were from food production, mainly meat, poultry and dairy products.
To get a more positive assessment, Hill’s team also estimated the impact of potential solutions.
They found that certain agricultural measures – like improving fertilizer use – could prevent some deaths.
However, changes to the American diet would bring far greater benefits: if veganism and vegetarianism were to invade the nation, most of the deaths described could be avoided, the researchers found.
continuation
However, Hill emphasized, “You don’t have to become an absolutist.”
His team predicted that “flexitarian” eating would also prevent large numbers of deaths. This refers to diets that are largely plant-based but allow some animal products in moderation.
Given the huge impact of red meat, Hill said even the explanation of “meatless montages” could make a difference.
But would there be any health effects if you cut out animal protein?
Eshel said there was “no trace of evidence” that humans need animal protein to be healthy – but rather a “mountain of evidence” to support the benefits of plant-based diets.
In a 2019 study, Eshel estimated that if all Americans traded meat for plant-based alternatives, it would have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions and the use of farmland and nitrogen fertilizers.
And with sources like soy and buckwheat providing protein, the study would find there wouldn’t be any nutritional deficiencies either.
But Eshel also admitted that national acceptance of veganism is unlikely. He said “discarding” beef and replacing it with healthy plant-based foods would be a good move in itself.
continuation
More information
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics gives advice on building a healthy vegetarian diet.
SOURCES: Jason Hill, PhD, Professor of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul; Gidon Eshel, PhD, research professor of environmental and urban research, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY; National Academy of Sciences procedure, online May 10, 2021
Comments are closed.