Characterization of Volatile Organic Emissions and Wastes from a Swine Production Facility

Abstract

Analytical methods for monitoring the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, for defining atmospheric transport coefficients, and for monitoring solution phase chemistry have been developed to define processes regulating emission of malodorous and other VOCs from a high odor swine production facility. Of the 40 organic compounds identified in liquid and outdoor air samples from the swine production facility, 27 VOCs were confirmed to contribute to decreased air quality in the vicinity of the facility. Specifically, C2 through C9 organic acids demonstrated the greatest potential for decreased air quality, since these compounds exhibited the highest transport coefficients and highest airborne concentrations. Flux measurements suggested that the total rate of nonmethane VOC emissions from the deep basin swine waste storage system was 500‐ to 5700‐fold greater than established nonmethane VOC fluxes from nonanthropogenic sources. The volatilization rate of malodorous and other VOCs from the stored swine waste was positively correlated with wind velocity between 0.2 and 9.4 m s−1, and a maximum concentration of VOCs present in the air was observed to occur at a wind velocity of 3.6 m s−1. Experimental Henry's law coefficients adequately predicted the transport efficiency observed for some of the VOC emissions measured from air samples taken at 0, 25, and 100 m from the swine waste storage basin; however, results indicated that laboratory‐based extraction procedures, currently used to estimate malodor potential for swine slurry samples, provide an inaccurate representation of malodorous and other airborne VOCs actually present in the air near swine production facilities.

Speciation of volatile organic compounds from poultry production

“…However, it should be noted that peak concentrations, 1936.7 mg m À3 , were well below NIOSH recommended eight hour exposure levels of 25,000 mg m À3 (NIOSH, 2005). However, average concentrations of acetic acid reported in this study were well above what has been reported for other animal groups (Zahn et al, 1997(Zahn et al, , 2001McGinn et al, 2003;Ngwabie et al, 2008). Currently most studies on workers occupational health risks from poultry facilities have focused exclusively on inhalation of dust or bioaerosols, but this study would suggest that some attention should also be paid to the role VOCs may play on worker respiratory health.…”

“…The challenge in determining compliance of these laws for agricultural operation is how to quantify the emissions from AFOs given both the nature of the compounds (Zahn et al, 1997;Blunden et al, 2005;Filipy et al, 2006) and uncertainty associated with emissions from non-point sources. Due to these unknowns, US EPA entered into agreement with large AFOs in order to develop a better understanding into the types and levels of compounds being emitted (Federal Register, 2005).…”

“…It has also been shown that certain polar compounds associated with AFOs do not lend themselves to canister analysis (Koziel et al, 2005). In fact, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) have not been detected with canister sampling and analysis from animal feeding operations (Koziel et al, 2005;Blunden et al, 2005;Filipy et al, 2006) and they are known to be a significant VOC associated with animal production (Zahn et al, 1997;Zahn et al, 2001;Ngwabie et al, 2008). Even alternative air sampling techniques such as sorbent tubes (USEPA Method TO-17) have their own short comings especially when sampling in humid environments using molecular sieve sorbents (Helmig and Vierling, 1995;Gawlowski et al, 1999;Trabue et al, 2008a).…”

Carvacrol and Thymol Reduce Swine Waste Odor and Pathogens: Stability of Oils

“…This is supported by the studies of Zahn et al [18] in which they conclude that C2 through C9 organic acids from swine waste demonstrate the greatest potential for decreased air quality, since these compounds exhibit the highest transport coefficients and highest airborne concentrations.…”

Effects of Agriculture upon the Air Quality and Climate: Research, Policy, and Regulations

“…In contrast there is a large network in place to assess the changes in atmospheric chemistry associated with fossil fuel combustion. For instance, the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN) has been monitoring the wet deposition of sulfate (SO 4 Animal production results in emissions of hundreds of identified VOCs (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31). These compounds are diverse, and include many acids, alcohols, aldehydes, amides, amines, aromatics, esters, ethers, halogenated hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons, ketones, nitriles, other nitrogen-containing compounds, phenols, sulfur-containing compounds, and steroids.…”