@article{3169922,
    title = "Intensive hog farming operations, health risks, and quality of life of
nearby residents in east Mediterranean",
    author = "Ieichalopoulos, Charalampos and Tzavara, Chara and Liodakis, Stylianos",
    journal = "Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health",
    year = "2016",
    volume = "9",
    number = "4",
    pages = "421-427",
    publisher = "SPRINGER INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING AG",
    doi = "10.1007/s11869-015-0351-6",
    keywords = "Air pollution; East Mediterranean; Health risk; Intensive hog farming
operations; Quality of life",
    abstract = "As part of the Mediterranean region, Greece has a high mean temperature.
Consequently, the amount of toxic gas emissions from intensive hog
farming operations (IHFOs) is greater than that from equivalents in
northern Europe and USA. This study evaluated the health-related quality
of life (HRQoL) of people who live near IHFOs in central and southern
Greece. The collected data from 72-item self-report questionnaires,
obtained from 377 residents in vicinity with three IHFOs, have been
analyzed. The experimental group consisted of 209 people living within 3
km from IHFOs (near IHFOs), while the control group consisted of 168
people living more than 3 km but less than 5 km away from IHFOs (far
IHFOs). There was a statistically significant difference between
experimental and control groups in the following: wheezing (26.9 vs. 7.8
%), night-time awakenings due to dyspnea (24.5 vs. 7.2 %), night-time
awakenings due to coughing (41.6 vs. 16.8 %), and night or day coughing
for at least 3 months per year (42.5 vs. 17.3 %). Subjects living near
IHFOs had increased odds for suffering from wheezing, night-time
awakenings due to dyspnea, night-time awakenings due to coughing, and
night or day coughing for at least 3 months per year. Our research
verified that IHFOs adversely affect respiratory and mental health as
well as the quality of life of nearby residents."
}