Canada - Various Strategies Shown Effective in Reducing Airborne Contaminants in Swine Barns

Scientists at the Prairie Swine Centre are recommending a combination of strategies to reduce the risks associated with exposure to the various contaminants present in swine barns. There are several sources of potential contamination in swine operations, including the building themselves, their ventilation systems, the pigs and even the outside environment. Research Scientist in Engineering Dr. Bernardo Predicala says the main contaminants of concern include gases, particulates and biological aerosols. "There are hundreds of gases inside swine barns but there is a few of more concern to pork producers like for example ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and others but they're actually present in very small amounts. When they're collected together, the combined effect would be what you would smell as the odor. In terms of particulates, you would have dust. There'll be airborne particles coming from lots of things. It could be from the feeds, from dried fecal matter, from the animals themselves, from fibres from bedding for example or from construction or building materials. Dust is of particular interest because it can act as a vehicle for other contaminants. It can absorb bacteria for example or it can absorb gases so, when inhaled, it can carry those contaminants to deeper parts of the respiratory system when they can do more damage. Then, in terms of biological aerosols, this would be airborne particles that are of biological origin". Dr. Predicala says source control, removing manure and other potential sources of contaminants as quickly as possible, will improve air quality in the barn. He says the use of canola oil spraying has proved effective in removing up to 80 percent of the airborne dusts. In terms of worker protection, he recommends the use of personal respiratory protection.