Odorant Emissions from Intensive Pig Production Measured by Online Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Emission of odorous compounds from intensive livestock production is a cause of nuisance in populated rural areas. Knowledge on the chemical composition of odor and temporal variations in emissions are needed in order to identify factors of importance for emission rates and select proper abatement technologies. In this work, a method based on proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) has been developed and tested for continuous measurements of odorant emissions from intensive pig production facilities. The method is assessed to cover all presently known important odorants from this type of animal production with adequate sensitivity and a time resolution of less than one minute. The sensitivity toward hydrogen sulfide is demonstrated to exhibit a pronounced humidity dependency, which can be included in the calibration procedure in order to achieve quantitative results for this compound. Application of the method at an experimental pig facility demonstrated strong temporal variations in emissions, including diurnal variation. Based on these first results, air exchange and animal activity are suggested to be of importance for emission rates of odorants. Highest emissions are seen for hydrogen sulfide and acetic acid, whereas key odorants are evaluated from tabulated odor threshold values to be hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, 4-methylphenol, and butanoic acid.

Performance of commercial nonmethane hydrocarbon analyzers in monitoring oxygenated volatile organic compounds emitted from animal feeding operations

“…Major classes of compounds not quantified with EPA TO-17 and TO-15 would include small carbonyl compounds (i.e., acetaldehyde), amines, and ester compounds; however, these compound classes would probably account for less than 10% of total VOCs since their abundance is about an order of magnitude lower than alcohols or volatile fatty acids (Smith, Francis, and Duxbury, 1977;Yasuhara, 1987;Ngwabie et al, 2008;Feilberg et al, 2010). These two methods also do not include propane.…”

“…Another alternative technology that focuses on the quantitation of individual compounds rather than total NMHC is selective-ion-flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). Instruments for this are commercially available and have been used successfully at both swine and dairy operations (Shaw et al, 2007;Ngwabie et al, 2008;Feilberg et al, 2010;Saha et al, 2011). The instruments use chemical ionizations for real-time measurement.…”

“…), whereas VOC emissions from AFOs are biogenic and have been found to be dominated by polar oxygenated compounds (Schiffman, Bennett, and Raymer, 2001;Filipy et al, 2006;Ngwabie et al, 2008;Feilberg et al, 2010;Trabue et al, 2010;Rumsey, Aneja, and Lonneman, 2012). It was noted in the consent agreement that some error was anticipated due to the imprecise response of Method 25A to oxygenated compounds (Federal Register, 2005), since FID detectors have a greater sensitivity toward aliphatic hydrocarbons than toward polar oxygenated compounds (Sternberg, Gallow, and James, 1962;Dietz, 1967;Jorgensen et al, 1990;Kallai, Veres, and Balla, 2001;Faiola et al, 2012).…”

“…The diversity of compounds associated with AFOs is large (more than 400 compounds), and previous research has shown that concentrations are highly variable (Yasuhara, 1987;Filipy et al, 2006;Ngwabie et al, 2008;Feilberg et al, 2010;Trabue et al, 2011). Our research group recently published a study monitoring the VOCs from a poultry facility (Trabue et al, 2010).…”

Toxicology and “One Health”: Opportunities for Multidisciplinary Collaborations

“…Human medications have in recent years overshadowed pesticides as the most common cause of poisoning in pets [3]. Leading the pack are medications used for treatment of depression, sleeping aids, antianxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.…”