Large-scale animal operations that can contaminate soil and groundwater with nitrates and pathogens.
Total Sites
10K
EPA FRS NPDES
Search Radius
3.1 mi
Per-parcel proximity read
Agency
EPA
EPA FRS NPDES
About This Database
- Formal Name
- Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
- Program
- EPA FRS NPDES
- Maintaining Agency
- EPA
- Sites Tracked
- 10,110
What This Means for Growers
CAFOs pose a different contamination profile than chemical sources. The primary concerns are ammonia emissions (airborne deposition) and pathogen risk (E. coli, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium) from manure management. Ammonia deposition follows wind-direction patterns similar to industrial emissions, with exponential decay over distance.
The pathogen risk is most relevant for crops consumed raw — leafy greens at greatest risk from splash contamination during rain events and aerosol deposition. Cooking eliminates pathogen risk, so heat-processed crops are less affected. This is primarily a food safety concern rather than a chemical contamination issue.
Crop Risk Assessment
Leafy greens
Highest pathogen risk from splash and aerosol deposition — consumed raw with minimal processing.
Root crops
Soil-contact crops can harbor pathogens; peeling and cooking reduces risk significantly.
Fruiting crops
Elevated fruit has lower splash risk; washing and cooking further reduces exposure.
Tree fruits
Height above ground and peelable skins provide natural barriers against pathogen contamination.
Know Before You Grow — Mitigation Steps
- 1.Wash all produce consumed raw thoroughly, especially leafy greens grown near CAFOs.
- 2.Consider food safety practices: sanitize with dilute vinegar solution for raw-consumption crops.
- 3.Row covers reduce aerosol and splash deposition on crops.
- 4.If downstream of a CAFO, test well water for nitrates and bacterial contamination.
- 5.Cooking eliminates pathogen risk — prioritize cooked crops over raw salad greens in high-exposure areas.
Top States for CAFO
| State | Sites | Density |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,551 | 0.03 |
| New York | 1,029 | 0.02 |
| Minnesota | 1,010 | 0.01 |
| Texas | 822 | 0.00 |
| Nebraska | 700 | 0.01 |
| Pennsylvania | 642 | 0.01 |
| Maryland | 623 | 0.06 |
| Missouri | 595 | 0.01 |
| Kansas | 485 | 0.01 |
| Illinois | 467 | 0.01 |
| Wisconsin | 302 | 0.01 |
| Washington | 241 | 0.00 |
| Idaho | 218 | 0.00 |
| Oregon | 176 | 0.00 |
| Montana | 160 | 0.00 |
| Colorado | 159 | 0.00 |
| Utah | 147 | 0.00 |
| Oklahoma | 145 | 0.00 |
| California | 106 | 0.00 |
| New Mexico | 65 | 0.00 |
Top Counties for CAFO
| County | State | Sites | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | AL | 195 | 0.25 |
| Lancaster | PA | 175 | 0.19 |
| Wicomico | MD | 141 | 0.38 |
| Caroline | MD | 121 | 0.38 |
| Whatcom | WA | 116 | 0.06 |
| Worcester | MD | 111 | 0.24 |
| Harris | TX | 109 | 0.06 |
| Somerset | MD | 98 | 0.31 |
| Wyoming | NY | 90 | 0.15 |
| Erath | TX | 89 | 0.08 |
| Dale | AL | 87 | 0.15 |
| Cuming | NE | 87 | 0.15 |
| Marshall | AL | 81 | 0.14 |
| Coffee | AL | 79 | 0.12 |
| Cullman | AL | 73 | 0.10 |
| Barbour | AL | 72 | 0.08 |
| San Bernardino | CA | 71 | 0.00 |
| Lawrence | AL | 70 | 0.10 |
| Martin | MN | 69 | 0.10 |
| Barry | MO | 69 | 0.09 |
Check Your Address for CAFO
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