For immediate release: August 31, 2006
For more information contact: Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
at 515-282-0484, iowacci@iowacci.org , http://www.iowacci.org

DNR study shows factory farms are polluting our air
Field study documents high ammonia emissions

Des Moines - A Department of Natural Resources field study has revealed that factory farms are releasing high levels of ammonia. The study collects air emissions data, including hydrogen sulfide and ammonia readings, from ten factory farms. Since the study began in 2003, it has consistently recorded high levels of ammonia, far-above the safe health standard of 150 parts per billion (ppb) recommended in the 2002 University of Iowa/ Iowa State University air quality study.

"We have suffered enough from factory farms polluting our environment," said 83-year-old Iowa CCI member Olive Jones, whose husband suffers from a breathing problem that they believe is exacerbated by the emissions. "We need some common sense policies to protect us from breathing these toxic gasses."

Data for the first six months of this year reveals that eight of the ten farms being monitored have already accumulated a total of 58 days above the recommended safe health limit of 150 ppb. The sites are near the towns of Belmond, Clarion, Iowa Falls, Kanawha, Newkirk, Sac City, Stanhope, and West Union.

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

• A high reading of 931 ppb from the IVA Inc. facility near West Union in Fayette County. This one site accounts for almost half - twenty-four - of the days above 150 ppb. Even worse, seven hourly readings were over 300 ppb.
  
• Five hourly readings over 300 ppb, including one of 551 ppb, near Clarion at the 'DeCoster #15' site in Wright County.
  
• An hourly reading of 310 ppb near Stanhope at the 'Winniger' facility in Hamilton County.

High ammonia levels have been connected with significant human health problems including eye, nose, and throat irritation and soreness, but the state of Iowa places no regulations on its emission.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is committed to the ongoing fight for clean air. "We owe it to ourselves," said Iowa CCI member Peggy Birchmier. "There must be strong clean air standards before it is too late."

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is a 30 year old organization with thousands of members across Iowa from all walks of life who talk, act and get things done on issues affecting them the most. For more information visit www.iowacci.org.

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