Monday the state Environmental Protection Commission voted to approve a
standard for hydrogen sulfide emitted from factory farms, but the standard
falls short of what's needed for public health protection. Here's today's
Register editorial on the decision:


 Editorials <section?category=OPINION03&profile=>
Meaningless air standard
The state must keep monitoring hydrogen sulfide for indication the new
standard is inadequate.
By REGISTER EDITORIAL BOARD <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

July 21, 2004


It looks as if Iowa's livestock industry won't have to change a darned thing
to comply with new air-quality rules passed by the state Environmental
Protection Commission on Monday.

So talk that this could hurt agriculture is nonsense.

The commission, following a proposal from Iowa's Department of Natural
Resources, OK'd a human health limit of 30 parts per billion for hydrogen
sulfide, the gas behind that rotten-egg smell. It can cause a host of
ailments, from eye irritation to shortness of breath, and at high levels it
can be deadly. The Legislature nullified an earlier effort to establish the
standard at 15 parts per billion, which was based on a report by a panel of
27 experts at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.
Producers needn't worry.

The DNR's most recent proposal was that if the hydrogen sulfide level
exceeds 30 parts per billion for more than 45 minutes out of an hour, and if
that occurs more than seven days a year, the health-effect standard would be
violated. In two years of monitoring about 10 sample sites - large dairy,
beef cattle, poultry and hog facilities - the DNR has not found a single
instance where the standard would have been exceeded.
In other words, Iowa is proposing to set a standard that is unlikely to make
much difference. So it's not livestock producers who should worry. It's the
neighbors.

While it's clear that 30 is a political compromise, it's not so clear that
human health will be adequately protected. It's troubling that the state has
backed away from the initial recommendation of 15 parts per billion.

The state should continue the monitoring and invest in vigorous, impartial
research to determine with more confidence the most reasonable level for
people.


Tarah Heinzen
Sierra Club Conservation Organizer
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 251-3995
[log in to unmask]

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