Air Quality and Atmospheric Change Resource Concerns United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

Air Quality Contaminates of Greatest Concern Related to Agriculture Odors Particulate matter –Ammonia Ozone Greenhouse gases

Sources and Identification of Odors Animal manure odors are considered a nuisance (not a health issue) Odors associated with animal operations are most often related to manure management practices Odor is produced primarily from anaerobic decomposition of manure

Techniques to Manage Manure Odor Composting Disinfection (kill anaerobic bacteria) pH adjustment (high pH) Masking agents Aeration –Drying –Solid separation from liquid –Mixing

Odor Plume Transported by Wind

Windbreaks Can Reduce Odor Dilution and dispersion of odor by mixing of the air Deposition of odorous dusts by slowing the velocity of the air Collection of the chemical constituents of odor and odor particles on tree leaves

Effects of Windbreak

Particulate Matter (PM) 3 categories: Fine, Inhalable Coarse, and Larger PM –Fine PM = PM 2.5 (<=2.5 micrometers) Greatest health effects; mainly combustion and chemical reactions; some dust –Inhalable Coarse PM = PM 10 ( μm) Mostly mechanically generated; dust (geologic); some health effects –Larger PM (> 10 μm) Larger particles have fewest health effects

Particulate Matter (PM) Human Hair 70 microns PM 10 PM 2.5

Larger particles (PM 10 ) deposited in the upper respiratory tract Smaller particles (PM 2.5 ) deposited deep into the lung Particles deposited in the lower region of the lung may accumulate, react, or be absorbed

EPA Particle Matter (PM) Standards PM 10 microns –Annual average revoked 1 –24-hr average not to exceed 150 ug m -3 PM 2.5 microns –Annual average not to exceed 15 ug m -3 –24-hr average not to exceed 35 2 ug m Revoked due to lack of evidence linking to long-term exposure to health problems (EPA, Dec. 2006) 2. Reduced from 65 ug m-3 to 35 ug m-3 (EPA in Dec. 2006)

Some Health Effects of Small Particle Pollution Increased respiratory symptoms Decreased lung function Aggravated asthma Development of chronic bronchitis Irregular heartbeat Premature death in people with heart or lung disease

PM-10 Non-Attainment Areas

Example of an Agricultural Source of PM 10

Air Quality – PM 2.5 PM 2.5 is typically emitted from combustion, but can also be emitted from chemical reactions with ammonia Since there are no exemptions from the PM 2.5 standards, agricultural sources could be subject to additional regulatory requirements: –Ammonia emissions from livestock operations –Prescribing burning

PM-2.5 Non-Attainment Areas

PM-2.5 Non-Attainment Areas Areas that currently exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Annual PM2.5 Illinois EPA must develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to address these non- attainment areas

Emission Source of PM 2.5 Source: IEPA

Agricultural Sources of PM 2.5 Prescribed Burning

Quantities of Ammonia (NH 3 ) from Agricultural Sources Represent about 95% of all ammonia emissions from human sources Source: Canadian Government

Ammonia Facts Ammonia is a precursor or contributor to PM 2.5 Gas-to-particle conversion plays an important role in the total mass of PM 2.5 in the atmosphere Reaction between acids in the atmosphere and ammonia produces ammonium salts

Ammonia Facts Reaction between acids in the atmosphere and ammonia produces ammonium salts In mammals the mixing of urine and fecal material produces ammonia outside of the animal In poultry this mixing to produce ammonia occurs inside of the animal

Ammonia Facts Ammonia emissions from agricultural operations are not currently regulated in the Federal Clean Air Act California requires ammonia control in PM 2.5 non-attainment areas Idaho requires dairies with more than 100 tons of annual ammonia production to be regulated In some states, ammonia serves as a proxy for odor issues

Ammonia Source

Ozone 8-hr Non-attainment Areas

How can ground-level ozone affect your health? Irritate your respiratory system Reduce lung function Aggravate asthma Inflame and damage cells that line your lungs Aggravate chronic lung diseases Cause permanent lung damage

Ground Level Ozone Sources

Ozone Precursors Oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) –Nitrogen monoxide (NO) Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) is produced in combustion of fossil fuels Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) –are chemical compounds that have high enough vapor pressure under normal conditions they will vaporize and enter the atmosphere (e.g. solvents, gasoline, and methane)

Ozone Facts Ozone is an invisible gas Ozone is not normally emitted directly into the are; it forms in the atmosphere by chemical reaction Ozone needs sunlight to form Ozone doesn’t linger longer – it quickly reacts with its surroundings Ozone usually dissipates after sunset

Ozone Injury to Vegetation Ozone effects on plants are initiated in the leaves when the gas enters through the stomata, disrupting cellular processes and suppressing growth and yield.

Midwest Ozone Concentrations Ozone has risen steadily in the rural Midwest since the 1960s. Summer concentrations in central Illinois average 50 to 60 (ppb). Soybeans are very sensitive to ozone, showing yield decreases when levels exceed 30 ppb. Studies in growth chambers suggest that current ozone levels in Illinois lower soybean yields by about 10%. Source: Ray Knighton – USDA/CSREES

The Greenhouse Effect

Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Primary Greenhouse Gases Related to Agriculture Carbon Dioxide (CO2):Carbon Dioxide (CO2) –Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), and decomposition of solid waste, trees and wood products. Carbon dioxide is also removed from the atmosphere (or “sequestered”) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle. Methane (CH4): 23 x CO2Methane (CH4) –Methane is emitted from livestock and from flood soils (rice production) and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills. Nitrous Oxide (N2O): 296 x CO2Nitrous Oxide (N2O) –Nitrous oxide is emitted as part of the denitrification process, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.

Oxidized Mercury