Public Meetings Set for Rural Hydrogen Sulfide Air Quality Standards

DES MOINES - Public comment meetings around the state will begin February 17 and run through March 11 to gather input on proposed rules to establish health standards for hydrogen sulfide gas near large animal feeding operations.

The DNR is proposing a health standard for hydrogen sulfide gas in the air at rural homes and other public building that meet the legislative definition of separated locations to protect Iowans living near large concentrated animal feeding operations.

The standard would be used in evaluating monitoring data to determine if hydrogen sulfide levels pose health risks to citizens.

"The Legislature asked the DNR to study rural air quality near large concentrated animal feeding operations and we are responding. We have monitored hydrogen sulfide since April of 2002, but haven't had a health standard approved to compare the data to. We need an agreed upon health standard to measure against that data," said Wayne Gieselman, head of the DNR's environmental programs.

He said the monitoring study is not looking at small or medium farms, but measuring hydrogen sulfide at homes near some of the largest animal feeding operations in Iowa.

The DNR is proposing a health standard of 15 parts per billion that could not be exceeded more than seven times a year measured at those homes, churches, schools and other public facilities that meet the definition of a separated location, as required by the legislature.

The health standard would help gauge the quality of rural air, but does not restrict farm emissions. As required by law, should the health values be exceeded, then programs and plans to reduce emissions would be enacted after December 1, 2004.

If approved, Iowa would be the 28th state to adopt hydrogen sulfide standards. The Iowa proposal is neither the most stringent or most lenient and is based on university recommendations.

"The bottom line is we need to be able to protect rural Iowans from breathing unhealthy levels of hydrogen sulfide gas. We have monitoring data, but need a standard, then if concerns are found, we can work with agricultural researchers to explore cost-effective measures to ensure clean air," said Gieselman.

Five public hearings will be held. The dates, locations and times are:

February 17, 2004 at 7 P.M. at Iowa Lakes Community College's Gateway North Center, located at 1900 North Grand Avenue in Spencer, Iowa.

February 25, 2004 at 7 P.M. at Cass County Community Center, located at 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic, Iowa.

March 3, 2004 at 6 P.M. at the Mason City Public Library, located at 225 2nd Street SE in Mason City, Iowa.

March 8, 2004 at 6:30 P.M. at the Davenport Public Library, located at 321 Main Street in Davenport, Iowa.

March 11, 2004 at 7 P.M. at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, located at 11040 Hickman Road in Clive, Iowa.

A fact sheet detailing the proposed health standards can be found here.

Comments may be submitted orally or in writing during the public hearings. All comments must be received no later than April 8, 2004. Any person who intends to attend a public hearing and has special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility, should contact Bryan Bunton at (515) 281-6729 to advise of any specific needs.

Written comments on the proposed rules should be directed to Bryan Bunton, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Air Quality Bureau, 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1, Urbandale, IA 50322, Fax (515) 242-5094, or by electronic mail to bryan.bunton@dnr.iowa.gov.