Clearing the Air: Mitigating The Impact of Dairies On Fresno County's Air Quality And Public Health
Author: Kresge, Lisa
Date Published: 2007
Fresno County suffers from some of the worst air quality in the United States. Among other economic and social impacts, the health-related costs of poor air quality in Fresno County are estimated at $1.7 billion per year. This pollution comes not only from automotive traffic and electricity generation, but from its large agricultural base as well--the dairy sector in particular. Dairies are responsible for some of the most harmful emissions in Fresno County, including smog forming volatile organic compounds (VOC) and toxins like ammonia, which are associated with deadly particulate pollution. The document offers recommendations such as enclosed barns reduced smog forming VOC emissions, anaerobic digesters can reduce VOC emissions by an estimated 46 percent. Enclosed barns can also cut 65 percent of emissions that form fine particulate matter. Enacting standards like these would significantly improve air quality in Fresno County and surrounding areas.
Date Published: 2007
Fresno County suffers from some of the worst air quality in the United States. Among other economic and social impacts, the health-related costs of poor air quality in Fresno County are estimated at $1.7 billion per year. This pollution comes not only from automotive traffic and electricity generation, but from its large agricultural base as well--the dairy sector in particular. Dairies are responsible for some of the most harmful emissions in Fresno County, including smog forming volatile organic compounds (VOC) and toxins like ammonia, which are associated with deadly particulate pollution. The document offers recommendations such as enclosed barns reduced smog forming VOC emissions, anaerobic digesters can reduce VOC emissions by an estimated 46 percent. Enclosed barns can also cut 65 percent of emissions that form fine particulate matter. Enacting standards like these would significantly improve air quality in Fresno County and surrounding areas.
