Journal article
Passive monitors to measure hydrogen sulfide near concentrated animal feeding operations
Environmental science--processes & impacts, Vol.15(6), pp.1271-1278
06/2013
DOI: 10.1039/c3em00082f
PMCID: PMC3962789
PMID: 23681048
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of many airborne pollutants emitted by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). However, few studies have characterized ambient H2S levels near these facilities, largely due to the lack of low-cost, reliable, and easily transportable instrumentation available to researchers. We determined intermediate environmental H2S exposure near CAFOs using Radiello passive monitors. First, a laboratory study was performed to determine the accuracy of the device. Next, a total of eight passive H2S monitors were deployed bi-weekly in close proximity (<40 m) to a medium-sized swine confinement for seven months in order to determine the temporal and spatial variability of H2S. Finally, we measured H2S concentrations across two rural Iowa counties to characterize ambient exposure near thirteen CAFOs and two schools. The value of the temperature-adjusted H2S passive diffusion rate provided by the supplier was 29% larger than the 24 h rate determined experimentally. Concentrations of H2S measured near the medium-sized confinement were varied and ranged from 0.2 to 48.6 ppb depending on the sampling period and proximity to a lagoon on the property. Two-week concentrations near the schools were low (<1 ppb), while concentrations near the thirteen CAFOs ranged from 0.1 to 42.9 ppb. The passive monitors were effective in measuring H2S concentrations near a swine CAFO as long as they were exposed for a sufficient period of time (two weeks). Radiello passive monitors are a promising new device in measuring intermediate H2S exposure in rural populations. Measured values in excess of an Iowa state limit of 30 ppb (24 h average) suggest that enforcement actions are needed to mitigate H2S migration from swine CAFOs.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Passive monitors to measure hydrogen sulfide near concentrated animal feeding operations
- Creators
- Brian T Pavilonis - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. pavilonis@eohsi.rutgers.eduPatrick T O'ShaughnessyRalph AltmaierNervana MetwaliPeter S Thorne
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental science--processes & impacts, Vol.15(6), pp.1271-1278
- DOI
- 10.1039/c3em00082f
- PMID
- 23681048
- PMCID
- PMC3962789
- NLM abbreviation
- Environ Sci Process Impacts
- ISSN
- 2050-7887
- eISSN
- 2050-7895
- Publisher
- England
- Grant note
- U50 OH007548 / NIOSH CDC HHS P30 ES005605 / NIEHS NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/2013
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9983997327602771
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