U.S. counties with hog and cattle feeding operations may be subject to higher air pollution levels, while lacking the health insurance necessary to treat related medical problems, a new study has found.

Concentrations of an airborne contaminant linked to heart and respiratory issues were much greater near these feeding sites than in counties without them, scientists observed in the study, published on Tuesday in Communications Earth & Environment.

The researchers also observed that these sites were more likely to be located near vulnerable and marginalized communities — many of which had limited health insurance coverage and lower education levels.

To draw these conclusions, the researchers assessed nationwide concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) around animal feeding operations (AFOs) — as opposed to including such emissions from agriculture or livestock production more broadly.

They narrowed their interests to home in on pollution near two categories of AFOs: cattle feedlots producing beef or dairy and hog farms producing pigs.

© The Hill