Groups Sue EPA Over Change In Farm Emissions Rule

Six environmental groups have sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday over a new rule exempting dairies and other large-scale livestock operations from having to alert officials when toxic emissions are released.

Earthjustice filed the suit Thursday in a federal appeals court in Washington. It says the exemption threatens the health and safety of people living and working near lagoons that store farm animals' urine and feces, sources of dangerous ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.

Large-scale farms had been required to notify government officials when air pollution levels exceeded safety thresholds.

The EPA rule change goes into effect Tuesday.

The EPA office in San Francisco referred questions about the case to its headquarters in Washington. An after-hours message left in that office wasn't immediately returned.