Synergistic Effects of Dust and Ammonia on the Occupational Health Effects of Poultry Production Workers

Donham, Kelley J.; Cumro, Debra; Reynolds, S.

doi:10.1300/j096v08n02_09

Cited by 90 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(49 reference statements)

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“…[1] When discharged from exhaust fans of poultry and livestock housing these hazardous emissions may have environmental impacts not only to the ecosystem near the source but also at distances from the source depending on fan speed and climatic conditions. [1−3] Respiratory dysfunction among farm workers from dust and ammonia exposure have been documented by Donham et al [4] Odors adhering to the farm emissions have also been an increasing nuisance to neighbors. [5] In the atmosphere, aerosol particulates formed by NH 3 with other gases are deposited and may cause further acidification of the land and eutrophication of surface water.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetative buffers for fan emissions from poultry farms: 2. ammonia, dust and foliar nitrogen

Adrizal

Patterson

Hulet

et al. 2007

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B

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This study evaluated the potential of trees planted around commercial poultry farms to trap ammonia (NH 3 ) and dust or particulate matter (PM). Norway spruce, Spike hybrid poplar, hybrid willow, and Streamco purpleosier willow were planted on five commercial farms from 2003 to 2004. Plant foliage was sampled in front of the exhaust fans and at a control distance away from the fans on one turkey, two laying hen, and two broiler chicken farms between June and July 2006. Samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and PM content. In addition, NH 3 concentrations were measured downwind of the exhaust fans among the trees and at a control distance using NH 3 passive dosi-tubes. Foliage samples were taken and analyzed separately based on plant species. The two layer farms had both spruce and poplar plantings whereas the two broiler farms had hybrid willow and Streamco willow plantings which allowed sampling and species comparisons with the effect of plant location (control vs. fan). The results showed that NH 3 concentration h − 1 was reduced by distance from housing fans (P ≤ 0.0001), especially between 0 m (12.01 ppm), 11.4 m (2.59 ppm), 15 m (2.03 ppm), and 30 m (0.31 ppm). Foliar N of plants near the fans was greater than those sampled away from the fans for poplar (3.87 vs. 2.56%; P ≤ 0.0005) and hybrid willow (3.41 vs. 3.02%; P ≤ 0.05). The trends for foliar N in spruce (1.91 vs. 1.77%; P = 0.26) and Streamco willow (3.85 vs. 3.33; P = 0.07) were not significant. Pooling results of the four plant species indicated greater N concentration from foliage sampled near the fans than of that away from the fans (3.27 vs. 2.67%; P ≤ 0.0001). Foliar DM concentration was not affected by plant location, and when pooled the foliar DM of the four plant species near the fans was 51.3% in comparison with 48.5% at a control distance. There was a significant effect of plant location on foliar N and DM on the two layer farms with greater N and DM adjacent to fans than at a control distance (2.95 vs. 2.15% N and 45.4 vs. 38.2% DM, respectively). There were also significant plant species effects on foliar N and DM with poplar retaining greater N (3.22 vs. 1.88%) and DM (43.7 vs. 39.9%) than spruce. The interaction of location by species (P ≤ 0.005) indicated that poplar was more responsive in terms of foliar N, but less responsive for DM than spruce. The effect of location and species on foliar N and DM were not clear among the two willow species on the broiler farms. Plant location had no effect on plant foliar PM weight, but plant species significantly influenced the ability of the plant foliage to trap PM with spruce and hybrid willow showing greater potential than poplar and Streamco willow for PM 2.5 (0.0054, 0.0054, 0.0005, and 0.0016 mg cm − 2 ; P ≤ 0.05) and total PM (0.0309, 0.0102, 0.0038, and 0.0046 mg cm − 2 , respectively; P ≤ 0.001). Spruce trapped more dust compared to the other three species (hybrid willow, poplar, and Streamco willow) for PM 10 (0.0248 vs. 0.0036 mg cm − 2 ; P ≤ 0.0001) and PM ...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetative buffers for fan emissions from poultry farms: 2. ammonia, dust and foliar nitrogen

Adrizal

Patterson

Hulet

et al. 2007

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Specifically, poultry workers completed pulmonary function tests before and after each shift and the relationship of total dust and ammonia exposures were examined by correlation, logistic modeling, and synergy index calculations. Results of this study concluded that synergistic effects between ammonia and aerosolized dust concentrations explained up to 43-63% of the pulmonary function decline over the work shift (Donham et al, 2002 There are no recommended exposure limits or standards provided by these agencies for endotoxin, pathogens or organic dust. Although recommendations can be found in the literature, these are not enforceable and are driven by research, as opposed to enforceable PELs.…”

Section: Health Effects From Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Donham et al (2002) reported synergistic effects between dust and ammonia exposures associated with decreases in pulmonary function among workers in poultry production. Specifically, poultry workers completed pulmonary function tests before and after each shift and the relationship of total dust and ammonia exposures were examined by correlation, logistic modeling, and synergy index calculations.…”

Section: Health Effects From Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a sprinkler cooling system on inhalable dust and ammonia concentrations in broiler chicken production

Ischer

Farnell

Tabler

et al. 2016

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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“…Grain dusts contribute heavily to agricultural dust composition among swine, dairy and poultry farms (Donham et al, 2002;Lee et al, 2006). It is well established that occupational exposure to agricultural dusts is a risk factor for respiratory dysfunction in swine and poultry facility workers chronically exposed to dust consisting of feed particles, bacterial endotoxin, gases and other components (O'Shaughnessy et al, 2010;Viegas et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bioaerosols, volatile compounds, gases and inorganic compounds including alcohols, aromatics and nitrogenrelated contribute to animal production dust complexity (Plummer et al, 2009;Chmielowiec-Korzeniowska, 2009;Hamon et al, 2012). Simultaneous exposure to poultry production dust particulates and ammonia resulted in a synergistic decline in pulmonary function in workers (Donham et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Biophysiochemical Analysis of Settled Livestock and Poultry Housing Dusts

Gerald

McPherson

McDaniel

et al. 2014

American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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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.

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Synergistic Effects of Dust and Ammonia on the Occupational Health Effects of Poultry Production Workers

Abstract: Control of both dust and ammonia in livestock facilities is extremely important. Lack of control of both these contaminants will increase the risk of respiratory dysfunction to all exposed to this environment, including workers and veterinarians.

Cited by 90 publications

References 43 publications

Vegetative buffers for fan emissions from poultry farms: 2. ammonia, dust and foliar nitrogen

Vegetative buffers for fan emissions from poultry farms: 2. ammonia, dust and foliar nitrogen

Evaluation of a sprinkler cooling system on inhalable dust and ammonia concentrations in broiler chicken production

A Biophysiochemical Analysis of Settled Livestock and Poultry Housing Dusts

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