Ammonia from animal waste and fertilisers used to grow feed create air pollution and poorer suffer most
We think of industry and traffic as the main sources of air pollution and overlook farming and food production.
A new study from the Chinese University of Hong Kong examined the impacts from changing diets and increased meat production in China since the 1980s. Initially, the changes in agricultural production meant more food and better quality food. Undernourishment was reduced and people benefited from fresher fruit and vegetables, and improved animal products. However, continued increases in meat consumption, more processed food and less whole grains have offset these initial gains.
