|
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement’s
campaign to stop factory farm air pollution marches on. Read the
latest updates below and how you can help protect our air.
• Clean Air Rules Now!
Background
The Environmental Protection Commission,
the Iowa DNR's citizen oversight board, first began considering
air quality standards after Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
members submitted over 6,000 petition signatures in 2001 calling
for them.
CCI’s efforts led to a joint report
in 2002 by 27 scientists from the University of Iowa and Iowa State
University stating that air emissions (hydrogen sulfide, ammonia
and odors) from factory farms pose a possible public health threat
and that Iowa should develop air quality standards. National and
international experts who peer reviewed the report agreed with these
findings.
Read
the joint report:
http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/ehsrc/CAFOstudy.htm
Hydrogen
Sulfide
CCI celebrated another victory in our clean air campaign when a
hydrogen sulfide standard for factory farms was enacted for the
first time in September 2004.
Before the new standard could take effect,
it had to pass the state legislature's Administrative Rules Review
Committee. On September 14, CCI members held a press conference
calling on the legislators to support it. Following the press conference,
the committee voted to allow the hydrogen sulfide standard to take
effect.
While this rule is not as strong as the
standard recommended in the joint Univeristy of Iowa/Iowa State
University CAFO air quality study, CCI members believe it is a step
forward in our campaign.
Ammonia
Since 2002, the Iowa DNR has monitored for air pollution near factory
farms. But if it were not for CCI, this important health informaion
would remain buried on an obsure page of the DNR's webpage.
In August 2005 and November 2004, Iowa CCI
members issued press releases that received statewide attention
for exposing the Department of Natural Resources' ammonia monitoring
results at homes near factory farms.
Many of these readings were well above the
safe health standard of 150 parts per billion (PPB) recommended
in the 2002 Joint University of Iowa/Iowa State University CAFO
air quality study - including one reading at 1,820 ppb!
The DNR is currently not moving forward with an ammonia
standard at this time, despite pressure to do so. Iowa CCI members
continue working for meaningful clear air rules based on all of
the recommendations in the joint University study, including ammonia.
Ammonia is one of many toxic gases produced
by factory farm manure waste. It is a colorless gas with a very
strong odor that in certain concentrations can irritate the eyes
and lungs.
•
Click here for Clean Air & Public Health Research Links
Next Steps
The standards passed by the Environmental
Protection Commission are a step in the right direction, but more
needs to be done. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement members
are working to ensure that key recommendations from the joint University
study are implemented, including:
- A hydrogen sulfide standard of 15 parts
per billion
- An ammonia standard of 150 parts per
billion
- An odor standard
- Enforcement action. The new hydrogen
sulfide standard only calls for monitoring – we
need an enforceable standard.
Action Needed!
The Iowa Farm Bureau, the Agribusiness
Association of Iowa, and other factory farm supporters are working
hard to oppose the rules and pressuring government officials to
stall the process. We need your help!
|
