AMMONIA EMISSIONS FROM ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS

Abstract

An accepted definition of antibiotic resistance as presented in 1998 by the Institute of Medicineis a property of bacteria that confers the capacity to inactivate or exclude antibiotics, or a mechanismthat blocks the inhibitory or killing effects of antibiotics, leading to survival despite exposureto antimicrobials (Jjemba and Robertson, 2002). The occurrence of microbial pathogens demonstratingresistance to adverse stressors threatening their very survival is not a new (Phillips et al.,2004; WHO, 2001). Bacteria have developed mechanisms for protection in a wide range of environmentsover time, some of which are currently better understood due to advances in scientificmethods and analytical techniques.<br><br>The development of antibiotics for human and animal use dates back many years; perhaps mostnotable was Alexander Flemmings creation of penicillin in 1928 (GIH, 2000). Many infectiousdiseases that once caused increasing mortality and morbidity rates among humans and animalpopulations have been effectively managed as a result of having antibiotics and pharmaceuticalsavailable in health care management. Despite these positive outcomes, both the widespread usageand lack of prudent use of antibiotics have caused global concerns about increasing incidences ofantibiotic resistance properties and strains of resistant organisms. Concerns have also increasedwith the recognition of greater interconnectedness between humans, animals and the environmentthroughout the global community. Further complicating this issue are the economic interests associatedwith industrial progress; hazards considered low-level and long-term seldom gain the sameattention as that of crisis scenarios; and incremental knowledge about public health concerns oftenraises troubling questions about risk and response (GIH, 2000).