Reporting Requirements for Air Releases of Considered Hazardous Substances from Farms - PA

Effective January 20, 2009 PA Livestock Farms producing ammonia and / or hydrogen sulfide in excess of 100 lbs. in a 24 hour period must report these emissions to their local emergency management agency and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). A decision tree (PDF) from the Univ. of Nebraska outlines these steps.

Farms falling under the following numbers are considered Exempt:

Dry Systems
55,000 Turkeys
82,000 Laying Hens
30,000 Ducks
125,000 Chickens other than Layers

Wet (Liquid) Systems of Management
5,000 Ducks
30,000 Layers or Broilers
other animal levels

To help in the calculation of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide release on your location:

• Ammonia (NH3) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Emission Rates for Poultry Operations - Iowa State University (PDF)
  
• US Poultry and Egg CERCLA Fact Sheet (PDF)
  
• Kansas State and Texas A&M CAFO Site
  
• Iowa State University Air Quality Ste
  
• University of Nebraska Manure Handling Site
  

If you determine that your farm is producing 100 lbs. or more of ammonia or hydrogen sulfide in a 24 hour period, then you should phone your county emergency management agency (EMA) and report this level. Be sure to mention that this is a continuous release. Date and time of call should be recorded for furture reference. Within 30 days of notification, a report of continuous release should be filed with PEMA and the County EMA you called. Reporting is to be completed annually.

Addresses of Key PA State and Local offices in the Capital Region

Bureau of Plans - Re: CERCLA Reports
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)
2605 Interstate Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9364

County EMA Office contacts within the PSU Capital Region
(Note: DO NOT DIAL 911 to be connected! this is not considered an emergency)

EPA Region 3 in Philadelpha
Compliance Assistance 215 814-3447
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
http://www.epa.gov/region03/

Forms and other Background Information To Be Considered

EPA - Reporting Requirements for Continuous Releases of Hazardous Substances, A Guide for Facilities on Compliance

FACT SHEET: Rule Change Provides Exemptions from Reporting Requirements
for Air Releases of Hazardous Substances from Farm Animal Waste (PDF) January 2009

EPA - Continuous Release Forms (PDF)

EPA - Instructions on Continuous Release Forms

EPA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Requirements

EPA - Animal Feeding Operations Air Agreements

E-extension: Air Quality in Animal Agriculture

Other animal types exempt if levels below:

•700 mature dairy cows, whether milked or dry
•1,000 veal calves
•1,000 cattle other than mature dairy cows or veal calves ("Cattle" includes, but is not limited to, heifers, steers, bulls and cow/calf pairs.)
•2,500 swine each weighing 55 pounds or more
•10,000 swine each weighing less than 55 pounds
•500 horses
•10,000 sheep or lamb

RETURN - Capital Region Poultry Website

PSU UP Poultry Extension Website

Last Revised:   01/30/2009