Livestock farms participate in $14.6 million air-emissions study

July 18, 2007 — 

Twenty hog, dairy and poultry farms in nine states are the subject of a $14.6 million air-emissions study by scientists at eight universities that began this summer, the Associated Press reported.

The research will measure levels of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, nitrous oxide, particulate matter and other substances in an effort to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency create science-based guidelines for livestock air emissions. The study is required under a 2005 agreement between the EPA and the livestock industry.

Results are expected by the end of 2009, with a peer-review process to follow.

[Ed. Note: Numerous environmental organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of these Air Consent Agreements. On July 17th the Federal District Court in Washington, DC found that the Air Consent Agreements are not rules but enforcement actions within EPA's statutory authority and that such exercise of EPA's enforcement discretion is not subject to review by the courts. The court dismissed all petitions filed by those citizen groups.]

Source:
Meatingplace.com, July 17, 2007