A Biophysiochemical Analysis of Settled Livestock and Poultry Housing Dusts

Abstract

The levels and composition of agricultural dusts are influenced by animal species, production strategy, housing type and ventilation efficiency. Agricultural dust within animal houses is complex and consists of feed particles, microbes and their products, dander, fecal matter, gases, metals and other organic and inorganic components. Livestock and poultry production facilities may be categorized as confinement, semi-confinement or pasturebased. Characterization of animal husbandry building dust will provide insight into understanding exposures experienced by animals, workers and farm visitors. The goal was to characterize biophysiochemical features of livestock dusts from swine, small ruminant, equine, poultry and cattle husbandry units. Settled dust samples were collected from livestock and poultry housing units at the University Farm and other livestock farms across the state. Morphological features were determined by electron microscopy and gravimetry. Biochemical evaluation consisted of pH determination and trace metal detection via mass spectrometry. Biological assessment centered on bacterial characterization via selective media, DNA analysis and endotoxin quantitation. Morphological analyses revealed higher levels of respirable and thoracic particles in poultry, swine, small ruminant and equine units compared to the dairy unit (p<0.01). Dusts were slightly acidic with the exception of the NCAT small ruminant unit (p<0.05). Dust endotoxin levels were consistent and bacterial species detected include Listeria and Escherichia coli. These findings suggest animal husbandry buildings harbor higher levels of smaller respirable and thoracic dust particles compared to inhalable particles. This information may be helpful in understanding dust exposures experienced by animals, farmers and agricultural workers.

Sorrel Extract Reduces Oxidant Production in Airway Epithelial Cells Exposed to Swine Barn Dust Extract In Vitro

“…In this study, we utilized a 5% hog barn dust extract similar to findings by Wyatt et al [27]. Due in part to the complexity of the dust such as the composition of nanoparticles, endotoxins, and other biophysical components, we observed various types of oxidants being induced [28]. With this knowledge of sorrel's ability to protect respiratory defenses, we tested our hypothesis that polyphenolic sorrel extracts alleviate hog barn dust-mediated oxidant levels.…”

Alcohol Decreases Organic Dust‐Stimulated Airway Epithelial TNF‐Alpha Through a Nitric Oxide and Protein Kinase‐Mediated Inhibition of TACE

“…Agriculture workers, for instance, are exposed to various types of dusts on a daily basis. Animal husbandry dust, composed of feces, bacteria, and endotoxins, as well as many other components, is extremely complex and can include respirable particles that distribute deep in the airway (Gerald et al, 2014; May et al, 2012). In particular, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) can harbor higher levels of dust than ambient air due to the lack of normal airflow and poor ventilation (Cormier et al, 2000) .…”

High throughput genomic sequencing of bioaerosols in broiler chicken production facilities

“…) (Lu et al ., ; Nonnenmann et al ., ). Staphylococcus and E. coli were the only bacteria detected across studies using culture based and molecular techniques that corresponded to our findings (Brooks et al ., ; Gerald et al ., ). Clearly, the phenomenon of culture bias is limiting the reported compositional diversity of poultry dust in past studies.…”

“…Dust generated in poultry production consists of a complex mixture of chicken and human derived dander, bedding, chicken feed, and viable and nonviable microbial populations (Lenhart and Olenchock, ; Radon et al ., ). Previous studies have used more specific molecular biology tools such as enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction to characterize poultry dust (Kwon et al ., ; Oppliger et al ., ; Prester and Macan, ; Just et al ., ; Gerald et al ., ). These studies have shown that poultry dust contains inflammatory agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan (PGN), constituents of bacterial cell walls in Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria (Thedell et al ., ; Sonesson et al ., ; Gerald et al ., ).…”

“…Previous studies have used more specific molecular biology tools such as enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction to characterize poultry dust (Kwon et al ., ; Oppliger et al ., ; Prester and Macan, ; Just et al ., ; Gerald et al ., ). These studies have shown that poultry dust contains inflammatory agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan (PGN), constituents of bacterial cell walls in Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria (Thedell et al ., ; Sonesson et al ., ; Gerald et al ., ). Also, zoonotic viruses ( e.g ., avian influenza) have been detected in dust (Chen et al ., ; Spekreijse et al ., ).…”