Current environmental threats to animal health and productivity

Livestock can be exposed to literally thousands of environmental contaminants. Fortunately, most do not cause significant livestock morbidity or mortality and relatively few present significant residue concerns in animal products intended for human consumption. Some environmental contaminants, however, present livestock health or residue concerns. The significance of specific environmental contaminants on livestock health and productivity can change with time and unforeseen threats can emerge as new chemicals or technologies are introduced or new knowledge about health effects of established chemicals emerges.