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Livestock operations, including hog farms, regardless of the type and size of the operation can be a source of air emissions such as dust and gases.
Because of this, pork producers use various measure to control and mitigate potential emissions from their operations. These practices include good housekeeping and dust control measures inside and outside of the hog barns, proper management and storage of manure and use of natural vegetation wind breaks and filters on ventilation fans among others.
Dust from livestock operations is generated through several mechanisms such as animal activity, building ventilation and the movement of outside soil particles. Feed is usually the main component of dust from animal feeding operations, but other solid particles also can be found in dust. Dust also can be generated from sources other than hog farms including row crop agricultural activities, roads, industrial operations, construction activities and motor vehicle exhausts.
Dust from pork production operations are generally largesized particles that do not travel far from the barns. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada found that air quality 600 meters downwind from barns was no different than "fresh country air" or air 2400 meters upwind from the barn.1 Gas emissions from livestock operations can include hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. These gases are not unique to agriculture and can be produced naturally and from humanmade processes.
Some sources of hydrogen sulfide include stagnant bodies of water, and many industries such as petroleum refineries, food processing plants, pulp and paper operations and tanneries.2 Ammonia is found in water, soil, and air and is a source of much needed nitrogen for plants and animals. Most of the ammonia in the environment comes from naturally occurring processes. When ammonia is found at a level that may cause concern, it is likely produced either directly or indirectly by humans. The odor of ammonia is familiar to most people because ammonia is used in smelling salts and common household cleaners.3
A study of air quality surrounding pork production operations conducted by Iowa State University's Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering looked at ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from pork production operations and their impacts on air quality at neighboring residences. The study found that emissions from the pork production operations did not affect air quality at neighboring residences outside the farm site. In fact, the study found that ammonia concentrations in residences tended to be more concentrated than ammonia levels in the air outside or at the pork production operation's property line. The study's authors said evidence suggests that ammonia levels may be related more to inhabitants' lifestyles, including smoking cigarettes, use of certain cleaning products and having indoor pets, than to the proximity to a hog farm.4
Endnotes
1 Saskatchewan Pork Final Report, Airborne Dust, Endotoxin,and DNA Downwind from Swine Barns,
October 2002.
2 Toxicological Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide, July 2006, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
3 Toxicological Profile for Ammonia, September 2004, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
4 Air Emissions Monitoring Protocol, Steven J. Hoff PhD, PE, Professor, Department of Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering Iowa State University, 2006
Because of this, pork producers use various measure to control and mitigate potential emissions from their operations. These practices include good housekeeping and dust control measures inside and outside of the hog barns, proper management and storage of manure and use of natural vegetation wind breaks and filters on ventilation fans among others.
Dust from livestock operations is generated through several mechanisms such as animal activity, building ventilation and the movement of outside soil particles. Feed is usually the main component of dust from animal feeding operations, but other solid particles also can be found in dust. Dust also can be generated from sources other than hog farms including row crop agricultural activities, roads, industrial operations, construction activities and motor vehicle exhausts.
Dust from pork production operations are generally largesized particles that do not travel far from the barns. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada found that air quality 600 meters downwind from barns was no different than "fresh country air" or air 2400 meters upwind from the barn.1 Gas emissions from livestock operations can include hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. These gases are not unique to agriculture and can be produced naturally and from humanmade processes.
Some sources of hydrogen sulfide include stagnant bodies of water, and many industries such as petroleum refineries, food processing plants, pulp and paper operations and tanneries.2 Ammonia is found in water, soil, and air and is a source of much needed nitrogen for plants and animals. Most of the ammonia in the environment comes from naturally occurring processes. When ammonia is found at a level that may cause concern, it is likely produced either directly or indirectly by humans. The odor of ammonia is familiar to most people because ammonia is used in smelling salts and common household cleaners.3
A study of air quality surrounding pork production operations conducted by Iowa State University's Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering looked at ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from pork production operations and their impacts on air quality at neighboring residences. The study found that emissions from the pork production operations did not affect air quality at neighboring residences outside the farm site. In fact, the study found that ammonia concentrations in residences tended to be more concentrated than ammonia levels in the air outside or at the pork production operation's property line. The study's authors said evidence suggests that ammonia levels may be related more to inhabitants' lifestyles, including smoking cigarettes, use of certain cleaning products and having indoor pets, than to the proximity to a hog farm.4
Endnotes
1 Saskatchewan Pork Final Report, Airborne Dust, Endotoxin,and DNA Downwind from Swine Barns,
October 2002.
2 Toxicological Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide, July 2006, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
3 Toxicological Profile for Ammonia, September 2004, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
4 Air Emissions Monitoring Protocol, Steven J. Hoff PhD, PE, Professor, Department of Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering Iowa State University, 2006
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Information provided by: National Pork Board
