04/02/2025 / By Lance D Johnson
In the heart of North Carolina, where the scent of hog farms hangs heavy in the air, residents of Duplin County are engaged in a fierce struggle against an invisible enemy. Toxic gases and manure particles from industrial animal farms are seeping into their homes, leaving a trail of pollution and health hazards in their wake. This community, nestled amidst a hot spot of hog production, is fighting back with the help of researchers to expose the extent of the contamination and demand justice.
Devon Hall Sr., executive director of the Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help, lives within three miles of 30 factory farms. He recounts the pervasive stench and the community’s frustration with local authorities who have historically dismissed their concerns. “When we’re telling the powers that be how bad it is sometimes, that our eyes are watering, our nose is running, and we’re coughing, sometimes we hear, ‘oh, it can’t be that bad,'” Hall says.
A Tool for Justice
Determined to prove the extent of the pollution, the community has partnered with researchers from Johns Hopkins University to develop a groundbreaking tool. This tool, known as Pig-2-Bac, identifies a specific segment of bacterial DNA found only in the gut of swine. By analyzing dust samples collected from homes, the tool can trace the pollution back to nearby factory farms.
The battle for clean air extends beyond the courtroom. As communities gain ground, states have responded by strengthening “right-to-farm” laws, making it harder for residents to file nuisance lawsuits against industrial farms. North Carolina and Iowa have led the charge, effectively barring many legal challenges.
The struggle in Duplin County is emblematic of a larger issue, where the rights of industrial agriculture often overshadow the health and well-being of neighboring communities. The question remains: will the voices of these residents be heard before the damage becomes irreversible? In the words of Hall, “We’re not going anywhere. We’re going to keep fighting because this is our home.” This sentiment echoes the timeless struggle for environmental justice, where the fight for clean air and a healthy community is a battle that knows no bounds.
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Tagged Under:
Air Monitors, air quality, citizen science, Clean Air Act, Community Advocacy, Community Science, data transparency, Duplin County, environmental justice, environmental law, environmental policy, environmental protection, EPA, Factory farms, health risks, legal action, North Carolina, Pig-2-Bac, Public Health, Right-to-Farm Laws, rural communities, Trump administration
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