Hydrogen Sulfide and Ammonia Receptor Concentrations in a Community of Multiple Swine Emission Sources: Preliminary Study

A Mobile Ambient Laboratory (MAL) was placed at a residence in a community with two swine‐barn emission sites and one land application area to observe real‐time atmospheric stability, ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations surrounding and within the residence during a 12‐week period. Significant differences in NH3 and H2S concentrations with atmospheric stability were found. For NH3, significantly higher concentrations were measured inside the residence compared to ambient NH3 concentrations, and these levels were not correlated with outside ambient conditions. For H2S, significantly higher levels were measured outside the residence for downwind occurrences during low wind ( 0.45 m s‐1) and low solar (<10 W m‐2) conditions indicative of very stable atmospheres. The concentrations and durations of NH3 and H2S measured in the ambient air surrounding the residence were far below recommended Minimum Risk Levels published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, for the protection of sensitive populations.