EPA wants emissions data from large-scale farms

Washington

-- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is assessing the environmental impact of animal feeding operations (AFO).

In fact, the agency recently called for information to help it hone emissions estimating tools. EPA will combine all submitted data with information it collected over a two-year study of AFOs, which include large-scale meat, dairy and egg producers. Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds are among the air pollutants measured in the study. EPA also is interested in data about how animals are housed or managed, and how manure is stored and treated and these types of operations.

The data collected by the EPA over the last two years is contained in the National Air Emissions Monitoring Study, initiated in 2005 and conducted by Purdue University with EPA oversight.