Identification of risk factors for sub-optimal housing conditions in Australian piggeries: part 2. Airborne pollutants

Banhazi, T. M. and Seedorf, J. and Rutley, D. L. and Pitchford, W. S. (2008) Identification of risk factors for sub-optimal housing conditions in Australian piggeries: part 2. Airborne pollutants. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 14 (1). pp. 21-39. ISSN 1074-7583

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Abstract

The concentrations of total airborne bacteria, respirable endotoxins, ammonia, and respirable and inhalable particles were monitored in 160 piggery buildings in Australia
between autumn 1997 and autumn 1999. The overall mean airborne bacteria, respirable endotoxins, ammonia (NH3 ), and inhalable and respirable particle concentrations measured were 1.17 × 105 cfu m-3, 33.1 EU m-3, 3.7 ppm, 1.74 mg m-3, and 0.26 mg m-3, respectively. The
characteristics of the buildings and management systems used were documented at the time of sampling. A multifactorial general linear model (GLM) statistical procedure was used to analyze the effects of housing and management factors on the concentrations of the airborne
pollutants. Both airborne bacteria and respirable endotoxin concentrations were affected by building classification (type), and respirable endotoxin concentrations were positively correlated with increasing humidity. The concentrations of airborne bacteria increased as the level of pen hygiene (cleanliness) decreased. The NH3 concentrations were primarily affected by level of pen hygiene, building volume, pig flow management, and season. Building classification, pig flow management, season, building volume, ventilation rates, and temperature affected inhalable particle concentrations. Respirable particle concentrations were primarily affected by building classification, pen hygiene, pig flow management, season,
ventilation rates, temperature, and humidity. These findings suggest that environmental improvement strategies (such as improved cleaning, ventilation, and temperature control) are likely to reduce airborne pollutant concentrations in pig buildings and in the environment,
thus improving the health and welfare of both pigs and farm staff.

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Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	© 2008 ASABE. Permanent restricted access to published version due to publisher copyright policy.
Faculty / Department / School:	Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Date Deposited:	05 Jun 2011 12:19
Last Modified:	01 Apr 2015 23:23
Uncontrolled Keywords:	air quality; ammonia; dust; endotoxin; farm building; microorganisms; statistical models
Fields of Research :	07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences > 0702 Animal Production > 070203 Animal Management 05 Environmental Sciences > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050206 Environmental Monitoring 06 Biological Sciences > 0605 Microbiology > 060599 Microbiology not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective:	B Economic Development > 83 Animal Production and Animal Primary Products > 8303 Livestock Raising > 830308 Pigs
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/18899

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