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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Crop Science Research Laboratory » Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #225986
Title: Update: EPA exemption pending for ammonia emissions from broiler farms

Author
item Miles, Dana

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/23/2008
Publication Date: 4/1/2008
Citation: Miles, D.M. 2008. Update: EPA exemption pending for ammonia emissions from broiler farms. Emerging Trends, Quarterly Newsletter of the Mississippi Poultry Association Grower Advisory Committee. p. 4-5.

Interpretive Summary: Ammonia is a notorious broiler grower’s adversary. The harsh effects of ammonia on birds and the corresponding loss of profits/efficiency are well known. Environmental concerns include potential pollution of land, water, and air. Mitigation techniques are needed to improve house air quality and reduce ammonia release to the environment. No air pollution regulations have been applied to animal agriculture as yet. It appears likely that AFOs will be exempt from the potentially applicable, most stringent regulatory controls in the near future. The EPA Air Emission Monitoring study is approximately half complete, but a rule has been proposed to exempt animal waste from reporting requirements under CERCLA and EPCRA, where the comment period closed March 27, 2008. If passed, the rule should temporarily reduce integrator and grower worries surrounding the 100 lb/day ammonia emission limit.

Technical Abstract: The negative effects of ammonia on birds, such as reduced body weights and impaired ocular functions, and the corresponding loss of profits/efficiency are well known. Environmental concerns include potential pollution of land, water, and air. Mitigation techniques are needed to improve house air quality and reduce ammonia release to the environment. No air pollution regulations have been applied to animal agriculture as yet. It appears likely that AFOs will be exempt from the potentially applicable, most stringent regulatory controls in the near future. The EPA Air Emission Monitoring study is approximately half complete, but a rule has been proposed to exempt animal waste from reporting requirements under CERCLA and EPCRA, where the comment period closed March 27, 2008. If passed, the rule should temporarily reduce integrator and grower worries surrounding the 100 lb/day ammonia emission limit.