Particulate Matter in the Vicinity of an Egg Production Facility: Concentrations, Statistical Distributions, and Upwind and Downwind Comparison

Abstract

Animal feeding operations (AFOs) satisfy the demand for meat, dairy, and eggs; however, they may negatively impact air quality. In this study, the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were simultaneously monitored at four ambient locations in the vicinity of a commercial egg production farm for over two years. Overall, concentrations and temporal patterns were similar to other rural sites in the southeast U.S. Concentrations near the farm property line did not exceed the 24 h National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM2.5 (35 g m-3) or PM10 (150 g m-3). Daily average ambient PM concentrations were best described by a lognormal distribution. Downwind concentrations were statistically significantly higher than upwind concentrations, but differences were <1.0 g m-3 for PM2.5 and <5.0 g m-3 for PM10. Relationships between ambient PM concentrations and rates of PM emission from the poultry houses were statistically significant; however, the strength of the linear relationships (Pearson correlation) was relatively weak (r = 0.15 for PM10 and r = 0.33 for PM2.5). On a diurnal time scale, variability was consistent with expected patterns of mobile source emissions, with observed higher concentrations of PM10 on weekdays attributed to on-farm vehicle activity. The observation of higher ambient PM concentrations during summer months was attributed primarily to seasonal variability in non-local primary PM emissions, as well as regional secondary PM precursor emissions and formation mechanisms. Results of this study provide helpful information for understanding the influence of emissions from egg laying facilities on local PM concentrations.