Bakeries can be major emission sources.
Emissions are directly proportional to the amount of product generated. Particulate emissions from flour handling equipment is usually considered negligible due to baghouse controls. Natural gas combustion in the baking ovens can also result in emissions of NOx, CO, and trace amounts of acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene, isobutanol, toluene, and xylenes. The primary volatile organic compound emitted from baking operations is ethanol. Source testing was conducted which provided information of the toxic composition of the volatile organic compounds emitted.