Air Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations Current Knowledge, Future Needs (2003) / Chapter Skim
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1. Introduction
1. Introduction
Pages 14-25
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From page 14... ...
Both agencies have research programs aimed at providing scientific information necessary for pursuing their program goals. In addition, lawmakers and those making policy decisions at all levels of government require solid scientific information to carry out their tasks.
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From page 15... ...
The findings and recommendations in this report are aimed in large part at the leaders and scientists of the EPA and USDA research programs, but they are also aimed at the entire community interested in addressing the issues posed by the adverse effects of air emissions from animal feeding operations. This includes leaders in the scientific research community, agriculture in general, environmental interests, people affected by the emissions, and the farmers who ultimately have to deal directly with their causes.
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From page 16... ...
. The committee' s interim report provided EPA with findings on the following: identification of the scientific criteria needed to ensure that air emission rates are reasonable, the basis for these criteria as documented in the scientific literature, and the uncertainties associated with them.
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From page 17... ...
As animal populations have grown in some locations and become more concentrated on larger farms, and as humans leave urban areas, concern has increased because of possible adverse effects on human health and the environment. Between 1982 and 1997, the number of animal feeding operations in the United States decreased by 51 percent, while livestock production increased 10 percent (Gollehon et al.,2001~.
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From page 21... ...
In addition to local and regional effects, animal operations add significantly to the global burden of greenhouse gases, particularly methane and nitrous oxide, which contribute to global climate change (IPCC, 2001~. Ammonia in the air contributes to the formation of fine particulate matter over large regions, and its deposition contributes to eutrophication of coastal bays and estuanes.
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From page 22... ...
. In fulfilling their responsibilities to protect human health and the environment, EPA and state and local environmental agencies are grappling with the issues of how to quantify the size and scope of AFO emissions and how to decrease their adverse effects in an economical way based on the best science available.
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From page 23... ...
To assemble, integrate, and interpret this broad array of information is a formidable task, especially in view of the different animal types and geographical and climate conditions in which AFOs are found. EPA has a variety of needs for more accurate estimates of air emissions from AFOs, including the following: · general monitoring of the nation' s air quality; · determining what pollutants are in the nation's ambient air, their concentrations and their sources; · identifying the emissions that may have the greatest adverse effects on human health or the environment; · improving regulatory approaches; and · assessing the effectiveness of various abatement technologies and strateg~es.
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From page 24... ...
Chapter 3 describes the kinds of air emissions produced by animal feeding operations and their potential impacts on the environment and human health. Chapter 4 examines the state of the science for measuring air emissions, including measurement principles and techniques suited to various on- and off-farm situations.
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From page 25... ...
The short-term program is designed to provide defensible estimates of air emissions that could be used to support responsible regulation. The long-term program views the animal feeding system more broadly in order to decrease AFO inputs, increase recycling of manure, and eliminate or greatly decrease adverse effects on health and ecosystems.
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