Characterization of major ammonia fugitive emission sources which form secondary PM-2.5 in the atmosphere from livestock and comparison of alternative particle size classifying equipment are also critical areas under study. The FTIR is a good research tool that provides continuous information about several chemical species. Measurement methods and their performance are developed using a controlled release simulator. These methods are being applied to concentrated animal husbandry operations, such as measuring swine finishing barns fan exhausts , and ammonia and methane are the major species of interest. Initial field tests have focused on swine finishing barns and have been extended to the waste water lagoon.
Additional testing is planned for other animal husbandry operations.