The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) will provide the nation with the first comprehensive research facility with the capability to address threats from zoonotic disease and foreign animal disease agents. Early in the design of the project, Kansas Department of Health and Environment designated the NBAF as a major pollutant source, which requires that the owner demonstrate that emissions will not cause or contribute to air pollution in violation of regulations.

Dr. Ron Petersen performed a study of the NBAF project and its potential air quality issues. While standard AERMOD results indicated problems, further testing and analysis provided data that the NBAF project would not cause air quality violations.

Dr. Petersen presented these results at the 2014 Energy, Utility & Environment Conference in Phoenix, AZ .