are you chicken?

In the final days of Bush’s administration, there will be many press releases on last minute rulings. As has been posted in the past, this administration seems to have it out for the environment.

One of the midnight regulations expected to occur is a ruling on poultry farms that exempts them from having to report there emissions due to ammonia or other noxious pollutants. This comes on the heals of an investigation from the Environmental Integrity Group (EIP) that shows the levels of ammonia released from these farms is at higher levels than most factories.

Multiple studies have shown that broiler producers in the top 10 states released an estimated
481,764,049 pounds of ammonia in 2007, or more than eight times the combined total reported
by industrial sources – such as steel mills and oil refineries. Egg laying operations released an estimated 221,551,888 pounds of ammonia in 2007

Ammonia is an irritant to the mucus membrane system (eyes, nose, throat), causing burns and respiratory issues. Although the EPA has never placed limits on acceptable levels, OSHA has. The concentrations released at factory farms greatly exceeds OSHA levels. The poultry industry has requested the exemption under the “right-to-know” laws; which essentially translates into “if they don’t ask, don’t tell”. Implications are that rural towns could be completely left in the dark about the air quality in their towns and the potential health impact.

You can get more information through the EIP press release, HERE.