Gypsum-Bedding and Manure-Storage Gas Emissions Additional Resources

Situation that was addressed:

Harrisburg, PA - November 1, 2012
-- Several farm accidents have recently been reported in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio; farmers are reporting livestock deaths, people being overcome with gases, stronger than usual odors and nuisance complaints due to increased odors, all where gypsum was used as a bedding material. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is strongly recommending that farmers err on the side of caution. Until research is completed, implement additional safety measures prior to agitating manure storages when adding gypsum or any type of sulfur-containing material to manure. Reference

Materials with Key Findings and Outcomes:

Authored by Hosea Latshaw in 2017, then PA State Conservation Engineer, this document outlines about a dozen actions that NRCS has taken since the completion of the gypsum-bedding manure-gas project to aid in mitigating dangers while recognizing the benefits of gypsum use as stall bedding and soil amendment.Final Report:Natural Resources Conservation Service Reaction to the Final H2S/ Gypsum CIG Study Report

Actions include developing and/or updating the following:

• USDA NRCS Fact Sheet #10. Safety and Emergency Response for Manure Management Systems
• USDA NRCS Pennsylvania Fact Sheet #5. Under Barn Waste Storage Facilities-Pros and Cons
• Fabian-Wheeler, E. and M. Hile 2015. Manure storage design and safety considerations with gypsum bedding. Fact Sheet E-70, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. 2 pp.
• Hile, M. and E. Fabian-Wheeler. 2014. Safety risk from manure storages of dairy cows bedded with gypsum. Agricultural and Biological Engineering Fact Sheet G-112, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. 2 pp
• Hile, Michael L., E. Fabian-Wheeler, Dennis J. Murphy, Robert J. Meinen, Davis A. Hill, Herschel A. Elliott, Ray B. Bryant. 2018. Gypsum bedding impact on hydrogen sulfide release from dairy manure storages. Transactions of ASABE 61(3): 937-941.
• Chen, L., M. L. Hile, E.E. Fabian-Wheeler, Z. Xu, M.A. Bruns, V. Brown. 2018. Iron oxide to mitigate hydrogen sulfide gas release from gypsum-bedded dairy manure storages. Transactions of ASABE 61(3): 1101-1112.
• Fabian-Wheeler, E. E., M. L. Hile, D. J. Murphy, D. E. Hill, R. Meinen, R. C. Brandt, H. A. Elliott, D. Hofstetter. 2017. Operator Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide from Dairy Manure Storages Containing Gypsum Bedding. Journal Agricultural Safety and Health 23(1): 9-22.

Additional articles

for hydrogen sulfide, gas emissions, and gypsum bedding impact that are suitable for various audiences:

• Hile, M.L. and E. Fabian-Wheeler. 2015. Gypsum bedding impact on hydrogen sulfide release from dairy manure storages. Proceedings of Dairy Environmental Systems and Climate Adaptation Conference. July 2015. Ithaca NY. USA. 13 pages.
• Fabian-Wheeler, E. M.L. Hile and R.C. Brandt. 2015. Gypsum bedding impact on operator exposure to hydrogen sulfide from dairy manure storages. ASABE Paper No. 2182514. ASABE, St. Joseph, MI. 10 pages.
• Chen, L., M. Hile, M.A. Bruns and E. Fabian-Wheeler*. 2017. Additive to Mitigate Odor and Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Risk from Gypsum Bedded Dairy Manure. Waste to Worth 2017: International Conference on Livestock and Poultry Environmental Quality, Cary NC; (2pp) April 2017.
• Hile, M. L., E. E. Fabian, R. C. Brandt, H. A. Elliott, R. B. Bryant, C. A. Rotz. 2014. Hydrogen sulfide release from manure storages of dairy cows bedded with gypsum products. Presented in Long Beach, California at American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Annual meeting. Reference No. 95-5.
• Fabian-Wheeler, E.E. 2014. Gypsum bedding—worth the manure safety risk? Progressive Dairyman. October 1, 2014. Issue 16. Pp 131, 133.
• Fabian-Wheeler, E. 2017. Additive to Mitigate Odor and Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Risk from Gypsum Bedded Dairy Manure. Proceedings Waste to Worth, Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center.
• Fabian-Wheeler, E. Gypsum Bedding and Deadly Hydrogen Sulfide Gas. Penn State Extension.