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Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come; NYC music school teachers strike after union negotiations break down; Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month; Health experts recommend sunshine, socializing to cure 'winter blues.'

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Toxic algae blooms are on the rise in WV, industrial farming a driving cause

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Monday, August 26, 2024   

Harmful algae bloom events are increasing, according to a recent analysis of EPA data from the advocacy group Environment America and have occurred in all states, including West Virginia.

In 2021, more than 100 people were sickened by toxic algae, mostly in freshwater sources. The number of reported toxic algae outbreaks have increased each year from 2015 to 2023.

John Rumpler, clean water director for Environment America, said the nitrogen, phosphorus, grease, bacteria and fecal matter from industrial farming is one of the driving causes of ballooning cyanobacteria or toxic algae growth.

"These industrial scale operations with hundreds of dairy cows or thousands of hogs; that volume of manure, whether it's spread on crops or otherwise managed, it just all too often winds its way from the croplands to rivers and lakes and streams," Rumpler explained.

Exposure to toxic algae can cause skin rashes, headaches, vomiting, pneumonia and more in humans, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Children and pets are especially vulnerable. According to the state's Department of Environmental Protection, the most recent bloom event in the Mountain State was reported at Rollins Lake in Jackson County last year.

Rumpler added in rural areas, slaughterhouses are also triggering blooms.

"It turns out that slaughterhouses, the places where a lot of these animals are brought to be turned into hamburgers or chicken nuggets or even pet food, they also release a huge amount of nitrogen and or phosphorus into our waterways," Rumpler noted.

Federal regulations for slaughterhouses have not been updated in 20 years and not since the mid-1970s for smaller facilities. Rumpler is encouraged the EPA is considering changes to its rules, largely in response to advocacy groups.

"EPA estimates that the strongest version of what they're considering would reduce slaughterhouse pollution, including nitrogen and phosphorus, by 300 million pounds a year," Rumpler reported.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, West Virginia is home to around 24,000 farm operations and ranks 25th in the nation in poultry and egg production.


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