CONCENTRATIONS AND EMISSIONS OF AIRBORNE DUST IN LIVESTOCK BUILDINGS IN NORTHERN EUROPE

Field surveys of dust concentrations within and dust emissions from ca ttle, pig and poultry buildings were conducted in England, the Netherl ands, Denmark and Germany. Measurements of inhalable and respirable du st concentrations were made in 329 buildings. Concentrations of CO2 wi thin and outside the buildings were also measured to estimate ventilat ion rates for dust emission calculations. Dust concentrations and emis sions were affected significantly by housing type and animal species. Overall mean inhalable and respirable dust concentrations were 0.38 an d 0.07 mg/m(3) in cattle buildings, 2.19 and 0.23 mg/m(3) in pig build ings, and 3.60 and 0.45 mg/m(3) in poultry buildings, respectively. Ov erall mean inhalable and respirable dust emission rates from the build ings were 110 and 19 mg/h bovine, 111 and 14 mg/h pig, and 12 and 2 mg /h bird, respectively. Expressed per 500 kg liveweight, the values bec ome, respectively, 145 and 24 mg/h for cattle; 762 and 85 for pigs; an d 3165 and 504 for poultry. Seasonal effects on dust concentrations in and emissions from cattle buildings were weak. Dust concentrations in pig and poultry buildings were higher in winter than summer. Inhalabl e dust emission rates from pig and poultry buildings were higher in su mmer than winter. Effects of season on respirable dust emission rates from pig and poultry buildings were small. Inhalable dust concentratio ns in cattle buildings were higher in the day than at night, but effec ts differed between countries. Pig buildings showed higher dust (both inhalable and respirable) concentrations in the day than at night. Per cheries and buildings for caged layers showed higher inhalable dust co ncentrations in the day than at night. However, dust concentrations in broiler houses were not affected by day and night. The high concentra tions of inhalable dust in broiler houses, in percheries for hens and in slatted weaner and fattener houses for pigs give cause for concern for both stockman and animal health and performance. (C) 1998 Silsoe R esearch Institute.