Released September 8, 2008
What can recent studies on hydrogen sulfide emissions from confinement buildings and open lots reveal about this gas as an outdoor air quality concern?
Hydrogen sulfide outdoors is the topic Friday, Sept. 19 in the national series of air quality Webcasts from U. S. land-grant universities. University of Minnesota professor Larry Jacobson and Jim Sullivan from the Minnesota Pollution Control Board will join Texas A&M professor Saqib Mukhtar to discuss outdoor concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas and the concerns of government agencies. The session begins at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
The Webcasts are hosted by the Livestock and Poultry Environmental (LPE) Learning Center, an information resource developed by more than 150 experts from land-grant universities, agencies and other organizations. The center is part of the national eXtension interactive Web resource customized with links to local Cooperative Extension Web sites.
The September hour-long Webcast focuses on hydrogen sulfide gas. Hydrogen sulfide is produced from animal manures under anaerobic conditions. It can reach toxic levels in confined manure storage pits, but is it more than an odorant at typical outdoor levels? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is deliberating reporting requirements for animal feeding operations. Experts will discuss what seems warranted on the scope of emissions from livestock operations.
Jacobson works on research projects measuring hydrogen sulfide emissions and the development of a hydrogen sulfide model for animal production sites. Sullivan is one of his agency’s experts on feedlot odor issues. Mukhtar worked on a large research project measuring hydrogen sulfide emissions from open feedlots in Texas.
The Webcast meeting room opens 15 minutes before the start time. Go to http://www.extension.org/wiki/Live_Webcast_Information to view.
LPE Learning Center The center advocates that individuals involved in public policy issues, animal production and delivery of technical services for animal producers should have on-demand access to the nation's best science-based resources. Articles about animal manure management are at http://www.extension.org/animal+manure+management.
eXtension is an educational partnership helping Americans improve their lives with access to timely, objective, research-based information and educational opportunities. The eXtension site is http://www.extension.org. Land-grant universities were founded on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to all, that colleges should teach liberal and practical subjects and share knowledge with people throughout their states.
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Contacts: Jill Heemstra, University of Nebraska, (402) 748-3909, jheemstra@unl.edu
Lynette Spicer, Iowa State University, (515) 294-1327, lspicer@iastate.edu
