While ozone is beneficial in the Earth's upper atmosphere because it absorbs potentially harmful ultra violet light, it is toxic to plants and animals at ground level. Their release into the atmosphere is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and emission data for VOCs are required for constructing and modifying facilities that dry wood. To help Mississippi manufacturers adhere to regulations included in the amended 1990 Clean Air Act, Ingram and other scientists with the College of Forest Resources' Forest Products Laboratory are measuring the levels of drying Southern pine lumber. The scientists have noted a significant difference, however, in emissions from the type of pine lumber being dried. However, research so far indicates that overall levels of emissions are not high enough to have an adverse impact on the atmosphere.
Work continues to determine and measure the factors responsible for the varying emission levels.