Eastern Canadian Hatching Egg Producing Farms: Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia and Airborne Dust Concentrations, and Animal and Human Health
VALÉRIE LÉTOURNEAU, Geneviève Dion, Marie-Lou Gaucher, Caroline Duchaine, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute
Abstract Number: 109
Working Group: Bioaerosols in Agriculture: Sources, Risks and Mitigation
Abstract
Hatching egg production takes place inside buildings equipped with mechanical ventilation systems adjusting temperature and humidity for birds’ comfort. Ventilation rates need to be efficient enough to remove moisture, carbon dioxide, other noxious gases, and airborne dust. All these airborne contaminants are known to be hazardous substances for animal and human health, and, for humans, have associated permissible exposure limits (PEL) published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The present study aimed to a) measure carbon dioxide, ammonia, and airborne dust concentrations inside 10 Eastern Canadian hatching egg productions during summer, fall and winter seasons, and to b) evaluate respiratory, and ocular health of the birds. 174 samples were collected throughout the sampling campaign. Carbon dioxide and ammonia were monitored with a gas monitor GX-6000, and size distribution of the airborne dust particles with a DustTrak DRX Aerosol Monitor (model 8534). Measured concentrations of airborne total dust (90% lower than OSHA PEL), respirable dust (96% lower), and carbon dioxide (100% lower) were mostly lower than OSHA PEL for an eight-hour shift. For ammonia, 22% of the measures were above 50 ppm, the OSHA PEL for ammonia. There was significantly more airborne dust particles and ammonia in autumn than summer in the visited hatching egg productions (no difference between autumn and winter). Carbon dioxide concentrations were significantly higher in autumn than summer and higher in winter than autumn. By opposition to airborne total dust concentrations, the amount of ammonia found in the buildings was slightly lower on the top floor than on the bottom floor. No eye or respiratory health problems was found among the flocks. The present study provides a glimpse on air quality inside hatching egg productions, and on airborne contaminants known to be responsible for health issues in both animals and humans.