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Airborne Dust and Bioaerosol Concentrations in Canadian Laying Hen Facilities Using Battery Cages, Enriched Cages and Aviaries
MAGALI-WEN ST-GERMAIN, Valérie Létourneau, Araceli Dalila Larios Martínez, Stéphane Godbout, Caroline Duchaine, Laval University, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute
Abstract Number: 185
Working Group: Bioaerosols
Abstract
Since 2017, the Canadian egg industry has begun a transition from conventional cages to alternative housing systems for laying hens. While enriched cages and aviaries provide improved animal welfare conditions, the greater freedom of movement provided by alternative systems and the presence of litter in aviaries may affect air quality and consequently have adverse effects on worker's respiratory health. This project aims to evaluate airborne dust (PM2.5, PM10, and total dust) and bioaerosols concentrations in conventional and alternative laying hen facilities. Twelve farms within 200 km of Quebec City (Canada) were visited during winter and fall 2020 and winter 2021. Facilities housed at least 20 000 hens and were visited after 55 to 65 weeks of production. Airborne dust, molds, and bacteria were sampled using the DustTrakTM DRX Aerosol Monitor (Model 8534, TSI) and the high-volume samplers Coriolisµ (Bertin Technologies) and SASS3100® Dry Air Sampler (Research International). Triplicates were taken in each facility. Median total dust concentrations were 1.161 (IQR: 0.188) mg*m-3 in conventional facilities, 1.608 (IQR: 0.831) mg*m-3 in enriched cage facilities and 32.581 (IQR: 7.528) mg*m-3 in aviaries. Median culturable bacteria concentrations were respectively (7.7, IQR: 4.1)*104 CFU*m-3, (2.2, IQR:1.7)*105 CFU*m-3 and (5.1 , IQR: 5.0)*106 CFU*m-3, while median culturable mold concentrations were (1.0, IQR: 1.0)*102 CFU*m-3 , (2.6, IQR: 8.5)*102 CFU*m-3 , (1.7, IQR: 1.5)*102 CFU*m-3. qPCR analyses revealed median 107 16s rRNA copies*m-3 in conventional and enriched cage facilities and 108 16s rRNA copies*m-3 in aviaries. Dust and culturable bacteria concentrations were higher in aviaries while other bioaerosol concentrations seem to be similar across facility types. Concentrations of endotoxins and pathogenic agents will be evaluated in upcoming analyses.