Environmental Impacts of Animal Testing

As well as all of the animal welfare issues and the high levels of inaccuracy that is present in the result of animal test there are also huge negative environmental impacts as a result of animal testing.

The amount of energy that is used in animal research facilities is up to ten times the amount of energy used in offices per square meter. This is an extremely unnecessary amount of energy that could be used in a much more positive way. There are also large amounts of air pollution, water pollution and soil contamination. The air pollution is caused from the smoke created by the burning of fossil fuel to power the animal research facilities, which releases Sulphur dioxide into the air making it toxic. The release of Sulphur dioxide and hazardous gases into the air causes global warming and acid rain; which in turn have increased temperatures, erratic rains and droughts worldwide; making it tough for the animals to survive. We breathe in every polluted particle from the air; result is increase in asthma and cancer in the lungs. The water pollution and soil contamination is coming from the vast array of chemicals that are used in the research facilities for sanitation, disinfection, sterilization, animal care, and the research and testing procedures. The processes in the facilities involve many toxic substances including irritants, corrosive substances, asphyxiates, neurotoxins, reproductive and developmental toxins, and carcinogens. These are all causing great strain on the surrounding environment which is already in danger from all of the other pollution that is caused.

All of this doesn't even include the waste production in the laboratories. Animal research facilities generate a significant amount of waste that must be removed and disposed of regularly. The research that is conducted involves the production, use, and/or discarding of materials and supplies such as food, caging, chemicals, excrement, bedding, waste feed, needles, syringes, unused or expired medications and drugs, and other supplies and equipment. Incineration, which is the most common disposal method for laboratories to rid themselves of animal carcasses and laboratory supplies such as bedding, which often times contain experimental chemicals, drugs, and other toxins. This then leads to large amounts of air pollution from the emission of gases and fine particulate matter. There is no safe way to dispose of such a large toxic mix-up.

Overall, there are so many reason that animal testing is not what we should be doing. It is such a cruel industry, it is not accurate and it is cause major environmental problems. In addition, there are already many companies that have proved that it is not needed to be successful, to learn more about this head over to my new blog series with fellow FED up member Leila, where we cover all things environmental healthy.

Always remember, we need to be the ones to give a voice to those who don’t have one.

#Animals