Ammonia emissions from broiler houses

Air emissions will be one of the greatest challenges facing the poultry industry in the future. Federal regulations as applied to animal agriculture will be further defined as additional baseline data are obtained. Ammonia emissions monitoring requires accurate ventilation estimates, ammonia detection, and trained personnel. There are wide variations in ammonia emissions among houses, ages of birds, and flocks. Ammonia emission levels per house occasionally exceed the threshold of 45 kg /d (100 lb/d) set by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). In the future poultry producers may need to address ammonia emissions when adopting best management practices for their operations.