The effect of environmental odors emanating from commercial swine operations on the mood of nearby residents

Abstract

The effect of environmental odors emanating from large-scale hog operations on the mood of nearby residents was determined using the POMS (Profile of Mood States). The scores for six POMS factors and the TMD (total mood disturbance score) for 44 experimental subjects were compared to those of 44 control subjects who were matched according to gender, race, age, and years of education. The results indicated a significant difference between control and experimental subjects for all six POMS factors and the TMD. Persons living near the intensive swine operations who experienced the odors reported significantly more tension, more depression, more anger, less vigor, more fatigue, and more confusion than control subjects as measured by the POMS. Persons exposed to the odors also had more total mood disturbance than controls as determined by their ratings on the POMS. Both innate physiological responses and learned responses may play a role in the impairment of mood found here.