MICROCLIMATE AND AIR COMPOSITION IN AN IS OLATED CHAMBER FOR THE STUDY OF ATMOSPHERE POLLUTANT TOXICITY IN PIGLETS

An experimental model representing the pollution background in a pigpe n was constructed in order to study the toxicology of pig respiratory air pollutants. Temperature, relative humidity, air-flow rate, total d ust, total viable particles, endotoxins in respirable dust (< 5 mu m) and ammonia were measured in a 1.9 m(3) environmental chamber designed for piglets. The activity of I piglet was recorded on video. Temperat ure and relative humidity were respectively 23.9 +/- 1.3 degrees C and 70.5 +/- 8.3% (($) over bar x +/- SD), Air flow rate was la m(3)/h. D ust, viable particles, endotoxin and ammonia concentrations were respe ctively 7 +/- 12 particles/ml, 3.4 x 10(4) +/- 29 x 10(4) BCFP (bacter ial colony-forming particles)/m(3), 4.8 +/- 1.5 ng/m(3) and 6 +/- 0.8 ppm (($) over bar x +/- SD). AII these parameters were comparable to t he lowest values recorded in pigpens