EPA stops collecting data on pollutants released by farms

The EPA, under administrator Andrew Wheeler, stopped collecting data on ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions from large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in June 2019. This policy, which faced opposition from 99 percent of 87,473 public comments, removes a reporting requirement for farms emitting 100 pounds or more of these pollutants daily. The document asserts that this lack of data hinders the ability of emergency responders and communities—particularly low-income communities and communities of color—to protect themselves from health risks associated with CAFOs, such as respiratory issues and elevated blood pressure.

• In June 2019, the EPA ceased the collection of data regarding ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions from farms, specifically affecting the largest concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) that emitted 100 pounds or more of these substances per day.
• The EPA's decision to halt data collection was met with overwhelming public opposition, with 99 percent of the 87,473 public comments received on the draft rule opposing the change.
• The removal of this data collection is critical because CAFOs emit over 168 gases, including methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide, and are disproportionately located near communities of color and low-income populations who may suffer health effects like asthma in children and impaired mental health.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2019). EPA stops collecting data on pollutants released by farms. https://www.ucs.org/resources/attacks-on-science/epa-stops-collecting-data-pollutants-released-farms

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. EPA stops collecting data on pollutants released by farms. 2019. https://www.ucs.org/resources/attacks-on-science/epa-stops-collecting-data-pollutants-released-farms.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=EPA stops collecting data on pollutants released by farms |date=5 August 2019 |url=https://www.ucs.org/resources/attacks-on-science/epa-stops-collecting-data-pollutants-released-farms |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2019epa, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{EPA stops collecting data on pollutants released by farms}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2019}, month = aug, url = {https://www.ucs.org/resources/attacks-on-science/epa-stops-collecting-data-pollutants-released-farms}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }