Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement

For immediate release: Tuesday, August 2nd
For more information contact: Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement at 515-282-0484.

High levels of toxic gas found near factory farms, says DNR study

Group calls for clean air now

DES MOINES — A Department of Natural Resources’ field study conducted over the past six months found high ammonia levels near nine factory farms. The emissions exceeded the recommended safe-health level recommended by scientists at two Iowa universities.

“These ammonia readings show there is a real problem with factory farm air pollution,” said Sac County Citizens for Community Improvement member Rosie Partridge.

The air-monitoring study near large-scale concentrated animal feeding operations reported a total of 69 days at nine, out of 11, sites that exceeded ammonia levels of 150 parts per billion. The nine sites were near the towns of Belmond, Goldfield, Iowa Falls, Jewell, Stanhope, Clarion, Newkirk and West Union. 150 ppb is the safe-health standard recommended by the University of Iowa and Iowa State University in a 2002 study that was peer-reviewed by national and international experts.

According to the DNR field study, the highest hourly averages since June at homes near factory farms included:

• 721 ppb near Iowa Select’s ‘Miller’ hog factory in Hamilton County.

• 523 ppb near Iowa Select’s ‘Winniger’ hog factory in Hamilton County.

• 508 ppb near a DeCoster hog factory in Wright County.

The state of Iowa does not currently enforce a health standard for ammonia levels for factory farms. “It’s time our state does more than just monitor; we need clean air rules for ammonia now,” said Partridge.

In a May 11, 2003, New York Times story, Dr. Kaye Kilburn of the University of Southern California said that evidence strongly supports a link between toxic gases emitted by factory farms and human health problems.

The DNR has 11 air monitors at homes near large-scale factory farms in Hardin, Hamilton, Hancock, Sioux, Sac, Fayette and Wright counties. To view the DNR’s 2005 air monitoring results first quarter report, go to www.iowadnr.com/air/afo/files/2005cpics.pdf.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement members won the first ever hydrogen sulfide standard for factory farms in 2004 and are continuing to push for ammonia and odor standards as well. CCI has thousands of members across Iowa from all walks of life that talk, act and get things done on issues that impact them the most. To learn more, visit CCI’s website at www.iowacci.org.