The Rural Voice, 1982-07, Page 12Is farming bad for your health?
by Adrian Vos
For centuries farming has been con-
sidered the most healthy occupation
anyone could possibly engage in. The
changing farming methods may be
changing this stereotype as large and
noisy machinery and confinement raising
of animals play an increasing role in
successful farm enterprises.
In former time, the greatest risk to
farmers was to be kicked by a horse or
gored by the farm bull.
"Health is one of the greatest blessings
mankind can enjoy, but usually it is taken
for granted until it is in danger of being
lost. "
The pure air many city people envy has
always been a myth, unless the farmer and
his family practised good management.
Old writings tell of the foul air in
farmsteads because of poor ventilation.
'offing vegetables in the rootcellar and a
stinking barnyard.
Since the old rootcellar has been
replaced on most farms with a freezer,
that problem has disappeared. but the
smell of the barnyard is causing all kinds
of environmental problems.
Not all health problems originate with
the farmer. Since the recession of the
LSO s has started. the incidence of stress-
related diseases has multiplied. A major
study in the livestock production area in
the counties of Grey and Bruce should tell
how widespread and serious the problem
is.
A case in point are the recent scare
stories on human health in swine and
poultry barns.
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PG. 12 THE RURAL VOICE/JULY 1982
A doctor at the University of Western
Ontario comments on his perception that
respiratory problems on the farm are on
the increase. He doesn't cite any studies
to back up this perception.
A veterinarian at the Iowa Center for
Occupational Health. has completed two
studies that show a TENDENCY in farm
workers to have increased health pro-
blems.
Dr. Roger Hacker, who heads animal
research at the Ontario Veterinary College
has his doubts about the recent scare
activity. He says there probably is some
increase in dust problems and attributes
this to steeply increasing cost of electricity
With ever higher hydro bills, farmers tend
to lower their thermostat settings. he
suspects. This lessening of ventilation will
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