Concentrations of Airborne Endotoxin and Microorganisms at a 10,000 Cow Open-Freestall Dairy

Dungan, R.S. and Leytem, A.B. and Bjorneberg, D.L. (2011) Concentrations of Airborne Endotoxin and Microorganisms at a 10,000 Cow Open-Freestall Dairy. Journal of Animal Science. 89:3300-3309. 3 October 2011.

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Abstract

Confined animal production systems produce elevated bioaerosol concentrations, which are a potential respiratory health risk to individuals on site and downwind. In this study, airborne endotoxin and microorganisms were collected during the spring, summer, and fall at a large open-freestall dairy in southern Idaho. Compared to the background ambient atmosphere, both endotoxin and culturable heterotrophic bacteria concentrations were up to several-hundred fold greater 50 m downwind from the facility, then decreased to near background concentrations at 200 m. However, downwind fungi concentrations were not elevated above background concentrations. At 50 m downwind, the average inhalable endotoxin concentration ranged from 4.6 to 4243 endotoxin units/cubic meter of air, while bacteria concentrations ranged from 102 to 104 colony forming units (CFU)/cubic meter. Although the bioaerosol concentrations did not follow a seasonal trend, they did significantly correlate with meteorological factors. Increasing temperature was found to be positively correlated with increasing endotoxin, bacteria, and fungi concentrations, while an inverse relationship occurred between the concentration and solar radiation. The airborne concentrations at 50 m were also found to be greatest at night, which can likely be attributed to changes in animal activity and wind speed and reduced exposure of the airborne microorganisms to ultraviolet radiation.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	1404
Subjects:	Air Quality > Air Emissions Manure
Depositing User:	Users 6 not found.
Date Deposited:	13 Oct 2011 21:29
Last Modified:	08 Aug 2016 17:34
Item ID:	1437
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1437