Farm air-quality regulations control more than odors
Posted: March 2, 2009
Suggested Intro:
NEW PENNSYLVANIA REGULATIONS TO LIMIT THE IMPACT OF LIVESTOCK FARM ODORS SHOULD REDUCE COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS. BUT AN AIR-QUALITY EXPERT IN PENN STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES SAYS THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS MORE THAN CONFLICT RESOLUTION. GARY ABDULLAH REPORTS:
Story:
(:17) PENNSYLVANIA'S NUTRIENT AND ODOR MANAGEMENT ACT REQUIRES ANY NEW FARM BUILDINGS HOUSING ANIMALS OR STORING MANURE TO BE DESIGNED WITH ODOR MANAGEMENT IN MIND. BUT PENN STATE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER EILEEN WHEELER EXPLAINS THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS AREN'T JUST ABOUT BETTER-SMELLING FARMS, BUT ALSO TACKLE FARM-BASED AIR POLLUTION:
Wheeler Actuality:
(:16) "ODOR IS THE ONE THAT THE FARMING COMMUNITY TENDS TO GET THE MOST ATTENTION -- IT'S A NUISANCE. THE E-P-A IS REALLY GOING AFTER SOME COMPOUNDS, SUCH AS AMMONIA, BUT IT'S NOT AN ODOR ISSUE; IT IS AMMONIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO REGIONAL HAZE, AND IN SOME SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS THAT MIGHT LIVE NEAR A FARM, IT CAN IMPACT THEIR HEALTH."
(:18) AGRICULTURE'S AIR-QUALITY CHALLENGES WILL BE THE FOCUS OF THE MARCH 11TH INSTALLMENT OF "MANURE DU JOUR," A WEEKLY LUNCH-HOUR WEBINAR FROM PENN STATE EXTENSION AND PENN STATE'S AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT CENTER. GET MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT A-E-C DOT C-A-S DOT P-S-U DOT E-D-U. FROM PENN STATE, I'M GARY ABDULLAH.
