USDA

Crocker Nuclear Laboratory is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to examine particulate matter, with aerodynamic size less than 10 micrometers, generated by agricultural practices in California's San Joaquin Valley.

To date, harvesting techniques utilized by almond, walnut, fig, wheat, tomato and cotton producers have been examined. In addition, land preparation practices have been evaluated. This project was funded after California's San Joaquin Valley was found to be in non-compliance with respect to the federal particulate matter (PM10) standard.