Regulation of Hydrogen Sulfide
Emissions from Feedlots in Minnesota

Robert Criswell
Staff Engineer, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

On July 1, 1997 the Minnesota State Legislature enacted legislation requiring the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to evaluate hydrogen sulfide emissions from feedlot operations. The emphasis in the legislation was two fold:

1. To require monitoring of H₂S to evaluate compliance with existing standards.
2. To require the implementation of remedial measures as necessary.

Hydrogen sulfide can be a significant component of odor from manure storage lagoons and is a potentially toxic gas which in some cases can form when anaerobic conditions exist in these lagoons. Interest has focused on this issue nationally as some data suggests that under the proper atmospheric conditions, emissions down wind from swine feedlots can be significant. In Minnesota there is evidence that these emissions can at times violate state air quality standards for hydrogen sulfide.

The evaluation of this phenomenon requires a cooperative effort from both the Air and Water Quality Divisions of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, producers, local government and citizenry. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's monitoring methods, data collection efforts and their approach to corrective action will be shared with the audience.

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