ARS | Publication request: COMPARISON OF SOURCE TESTING AND BOUNDARY LINE TESTING FOR EMISSIONS FROM A COTTON GIN

Submitted to: American Society of Agricultural Engineers Meetings Papers
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: July 15, 2004
Publication Date: August 12, 2004
Citation: Baker, K.D., Hughs, S.E., Buser, M. 2004. Comparison of source testing and boundary line testing for emissions from a cotton gin. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Paper No. 044011.

Interpretive Summary: With cotton gins required to comply with ever-increasingly stringent federal, state, and/or regional air quality regulations, and with compliance measures costing tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, it is critical that legislators, environmental regulators, researchers, and the ginning industry work together to ensure that regulations are based on sound science and true environmental benefit. Current federal regulations are based upon PM10. The current National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) is 150 'g/m3, averaged over a 24-hour time period. To meet this standard, the EPA has established source testing emission factors for cotton gins and other agricultural and food processes commonly referred to as AP-42. Both source testing and boundary line testing have their advantages and disadvantages. Source testing is a method to give an accurate indication of emissions at a point in time. For emission conditions that are nearly constant, this is a good indicator. However; if the emissions at the time of testing differ from the long-term average, the results will be greatly misleading. Boundary line testing is generally conducted over a long period of time, with average results being reported. However; boundary line testing can be influenced by nearby emission sources, such as open fields, roads, and other particulate sources nearby.

Technical Abstract: Simultaneous source testing and boundary line testing were conducted at an operating cotton gin in the San Joaquin Valley, California. Results of the simultaneous testing were compared regarding their indication of compliance with air pollution regulations and standards, Although source testing results exceeded the AP-42 emission factors, boundary line sampling results showed emissions well below the NAAQS of 150/m3.