Protecting Agricultural Workers From Air Pollution Exposure

Agriculture is a significant contributor to air pollution, with food production responsible for a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is also affected by air pollution, which can cause lower crop yields, damaged crops, and other negative outcomes. This two-way relationship between agriculture and air pollution highlights the importance of reducing air pollution exposure in agricultural work. By improving air quality and adopting sustainable agricultural practices, we can work towards cleaner air and healthier agriculture. This involves implementing measures to reduce emissions of pollutants such as methane, ammonia, and nitrogen dioxide, as well as addressing the impact of climate change on crop yields.

Reduce livestock numbers

Reducing livestock numbers is a crucial step in decreasing air pollution and mitigating climate change. Livestock farming is a significant contributor to air pollution, with emissions from livestock manure and chemicals comprising 95% of ammonia emissions, which, in turn, account for 58% of particulate matter air pollution in European cities. Additionally, methane, a by-product of enteric fermentation in livestock, is the precursor to ozone ground-level formation, which can damage crops.

Improve breeding, genetics, and nutrition

Better breeding techniques, genetics, and nutrition can increase the efficiency of livestock production. For example, in the 1970s, 140 million head of cattle were needed to meet demand in the US. Now, only 90 million head of cattle are required, and they are producing more meat. This reduction in livestock numbers, while maintaining meat production, can help decrease the environmental impact of the industry.

Encourage a plant-based diet

Adopting a plant-based diet or reducing meat consumption can significantly decrease the demand for livestock farming. This can be achieved by promoting Meatless Mondays or encouraging consumers to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diets.

Support sustainable farming practices

Sustainable farming practices, such as agroforestry, can help reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming. Agroforestry involves growing crops and raising livestock within an existing forest or a group of plants that mimic a forest. This practice increases biodiversity, soil fertility, and moisture, and produces different crops on different timelines, helping to fight food insecurity.

Explore alternative proteins

Alternative proteins, such as plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, can help reduce the demand for livestock farming. However, it is important to address the political, corporate, and societal barriers that prevent the adoption of these alternatives, especially in low-income communities.

Implement regulations and policies

Governments and organizations can play a crucial role in reducing livestock numbers by implementing regulations and policies that support sustainable farming practices. For example, the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aims to promote sustainable agricultural systems and reduce air pollution. Similarly, the US has established the Agriculture Air Quality Task Force to improve the understanding of agriculture's impact on air quality.

Improve productivity and fertility

Improving productivity and fertility in agricultural work is key to ensuring food security and economic growth. Here are some ways to achieve that while reducing air pollution exposure:

Soil Fertility Management

Soil fertility is the ability of the soil to sustain plant growth and optimize crop yield by providing essential plant nutrients and favourable conditions for plants to grow. Inappropriate soil fertility management can lead to adverse environmental impacts, so it is crucial to adopt sustainable practices.

Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) and Sustainable Soil Management (SSM)

These practices aim to maximize crop production while minimizing the depletion of soil nutrients and negative impacts on the environment. ISFM and SSM promote the use of fertilizers, organic inputs, crop rotation with legumes, and improved germplasm, adapting these practices to local conditions.

Use of Legumes

Legumes, such as grain legumes, enhance soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, reducing the need for commercial nitrogen fertilizer. They are a key component of sustainable farming systems and integrated nutrient management.

Soil Amendments

Soil fertility can be improved by incorporating cover crops that add organic matter to the soil, enhancing soil structure and promoting fertility. Green manure and growing legumes can fix nitrogen from the air through biological nitrogen fixation, and micro-dose fertilizer applications can replenish losses.

Precision Farming Practices

Adopting technologies such as variable-rate seeding and fertilizing allows for the precise application of seeds and nutrients, optimizing yields while minimizing inputs.

Soil Health Practices

Focusing on natural soil fertility and water-holding capacity through practices like cover cropping can support high yields and crop quality.

High-Quality Seeds

Using vigorous, climate-specific, or genetically-appropriate seeds can help increase yields and make crops more resilient to environmental stressors.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Agroforestry

Agroforestry involves growing crops and livestock within an existing forest or a group of plants that mimic a forest. This practice creates a high-biodiversity ecosystem, increasing soil fertility and moisture, and producing different crops on different timelines, helping to enhance food security.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

By reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides, chemical drift can be prevented, minimizing air pollution and its impact on nearby lands and communities.

Soil Management

Proper soil management techniques, such as increasing crop diversity, adopting crop rotation, and utilizing soil tillage, can help maintain soil health and reduce the use of ammonia-emitting fertilizers.

Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative practices, such as those that absorb carbon from the air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, can help mitigate climate change and its impact on agricultural productivity.

Policy and Government Support

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

The European Commission's CAP promotes sustainable agricultural systems, enabling farmers to adopt practices that reduce air pollution while providing safe and healthy food.

Eco-Schemes

Eco-schemes within CAP provide support and incentives for farmers who adopt or maintain farming practices that contribute to EU environmental and climate goals, such as sustainable water management.

Rural Development Interventions

Interventions such as agri-environment-climate commitments (AECCs) and investment measures can help reduce greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from agriculture, promoting cleaner air.

Technology and Innovation

Digital Technologies

Digital farm advancements, such as farm management software, can aid in efficient management practices, data collection, and analysis, leading to improved decision-making and increased productivity.

Mechanization and Automation

Mechanization and automation can reduce labour needs and costs while improving efficiency, allowing for more precise and controlled agricultural practices that minimize air pollution.

By implementing these strategies, agricultural workers can improve productivity and fertility while reducing their exposure to air pollution and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Modify livestock diets

Ammonia emissions from livestock manure and chemicals comprise 95% of ammonia emissions, which in turn account for 58% of the particulate matter air pollution in European cities. Therefore, modifying livestock diets can be an effective strategy to reduce air pollution in agricultural work. Here are some ways to achieve this:

Improve manure management

Poor manure management in livestock farming is a significant contributor to ammonia emissions. By optimising manure storage facilities and implementing proper manure handling practices, emissions can be reduced. This includes regularly cleaning and maintaining manure storage areas, utilising covered storage systems, and incorporating manure and slurry directly into the soil to prevent ammonia volatilisation.

Reduce use of ammonia-based fertilisers

Ammonia-based fertilisers, such as urea, are another major source of ammonia emissions in agriculture. By minimising the use of these fertilisers, farmers can decrease air pollution levels. Alternative fertiliser options or more efficient, enhanced fertilisers can be used instead. Additionally, direct incorporation or injection of fertilisers into the soil can help reduce ammonia emissions.

Optimise livestock feed

The type of feed given to livestock can also impact ammonia emissions. By selecting feed options that minimise enteric fermentation, methane emissions, a precursor to ground-level ozone formation, can be reduced. This includes providing livestock with high-quality, balanced diets that improve overall nitrogen efficiency and reduce nutrient excretion.

Implement regenerative agricultural practices

Adopting regenerative agricultural practices can help mitigate climate change and reduce air pollution. This includes practices such as agroforestry, where crops and livestock are integrated within an existing forest ecosystem, increasing biodiversity and soil fertility while producing different crops on different timelines. This practice can enhance carbon absorption from the air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, positively impacting air quality.

Explore alternative livestock management strategies

In addition to dietary modifications, exploring alternative livestock management strategies can further reduce air pollution. This includes improving overall nitrogen efficiency in livestock systems, such as using processed brown coal to capture ammonia waste in intensive livestock farms. By implementing a combination of dietary changes and management strategies, farmers can effectively minimise air pollution exposure in agricultural work.

Avoid burning waste

Burning agricultural waste is a common practice for farmers to clear land, fertilize the soil, and prepare it for new plantation. However, it is essential to recognize the negative impact of this practice on air quality and human health. Here are some reasons why avoiding the burning of waste is crucial, along with alternative methods that can be implemented:

Health Hazards

Agricultural burning contributes to the emission of harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants can have severe health consequences, including respiratory ailments, increased risk of heart disease, and damage to psychological and behavioural health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution from burning agricultural waste causes approximately 7 million deaths annually, including 650,000 children.

Environmental Impact

The burning of agricultural waste is a significant source of black carbon, which is a short-lived climate pollutant. Despite its short lifespan, black carbon has a global warming impact that is 460–1,500 times stronger than carbon dioxide. Additionally, it can modify rainfall patterns, particularly the Asian monsoon, disrupting the weather events necessary for agriculture.

Soil Degradation

Agricultural burning reduces water retention and soil fertility by 25–30%, requiring farmers to invest in expensive fertilizers and irrigation systems to compensate. The heat from burning residues raises the soil temperature, depleting the bacterial and fungal population and disrupting the carbon-nitrogen equilibrium essential for soil health.

Alternative Methods

Instead of burning, here are some alternative methods for managing agricultural waste:

• Incorporating stubble back into fields: This method, known as "no-burn" or "no-till" practice, involves leaving crop residue on the farmland after harvesting. It offers long-term cost savings on equipment and labour, but special equipment may be needed for crop residue incorporation or no-till seeding.
• Composting: Composting is the natural process of decomposing organic matter under controlled conditions. It improves soil fertility, enhances crop yields, and can replace the application of agricultural chemicals. It is a sustainable technique that retains the nutrients present in the crop residue.
• Biochar production: Biochar is a fine-grained, carbon-rich product obtained from the thermochemical conversion of agricultural waste in an oxygen-free environment. When added to soil, it improves water retention and increases the soil surface area, enhancing nutrient retention and promoting various biogeochemical processes.
• Mechanization: This involves using machinery to manage crop residues, such as shredders and baling machines. These can be rented or subsidized by local governments to support farmers in adopting more sustainable practices.
• Anaerobic digestion: This process converts biomass, including agricultural waste, into biogas, a renewable energy source containing methane. It is an environmentally attractive pathway for recycling agricultural by-products and has been promoted by governments through various initiatives.

Use alternative energy sources

Energy is required at every step of agricultural production, from fertiliser production to fuelling tractors for planting and harvesting. The high energy prices and unpredictable energy market significantly affect the input energy costs.

Transitioning to alternative energy sources for energy management in agriculture holds great promise for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainability in food production.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is one of the most common renewable power technologies. It can be generated on-site using solar panels and has no associated air pollution emissions.

Biogas

Biogas is another alternative energy source. Examples include landfill gas and wastewater treatment digester gas.

Low-Impact Hydroelectricity

Low-impact hydroelectricity is an emerging technology that can be used to generate energy.

Wind and Geothermal Energy

Wind and geothermal energy are also abundantly available in the agriculture sector. They emit some air pollutants, but total air emissions are generally much lower than those of coal- and natural gas-fired power plants.

Biomass

Biomass is a renewable energy source that can have a wide range of global warming emissions depending on the resource and whether or not it is sustainably sourced and harvested.

By highlighting the benefits and potential challenges associated with each option, agricultural stakeholders and researchers can make informed decisions about transitioning toward sustainable energy practices in the sector.

Frequently asked questions