N. Bird,' J.J.R. Feddes,2 and W.D.

Morrison3 INTRODUCTION The atmosphere in livestock buildings, particularly where ventilation is limited, can adversely affect human health. The acceptable level of certain airborne contaminants is legally controlled in many industries. But not so in production agriculture, where levels of airborne dust and gases often exceed limits imposed elsewhere. To further worsen the problem, organic dust particles abundant in livestock buildings can interact with human physiological systems. In addition, ammonia (NH3, another contaminant often present in the air in livestock buildings, can adsorb onto dust particles, which allows it to bypass some of the control systems in the respiratory tract and find its way into the alveoli of the lungs. Workers may not immediately notice any ill effects from airborne contaminants, but numerous cases of delayed responses have been documented. Symptoms such as chronic bronchitis, coughing, wheezing, and allergies can gradually develop over a long period of time. This publication informs livestock workers of the factors that increase levels of dust and gases in the air and explains how to prevent dangerous levels from occurring and how to protect themselves from long-term injury. Other Canada Plan Service leaflets are available that describe the potential dangers of silo gas and manure gas (leaflets M-7410).

equals 1/1000 of a millimetre; particles less than 50 p. are difficult to see with the naked eye. Large particles (over 30 g in diameter) settle out of the air quickly. The particles of most concern are less than 10 p,, small enough to penetrate the lung tissue when inhaled. These respirable particles consist of foreign protein, grain dust, insect parts, fecal dust, soil, bacteria, endotoxins, mold spores, hair, feathers, scurf, and bedding material. Much of this material is biologically active. Protein levels of the dust often reach 30--35% and ash levels are also often elevated. As much as 90% of the dust particles in pig farrowing and nursing units is estimated to be respirable. Dried fecal material that becomes airborne is usually in the form of small particles. This dry material contains proteins, bacteria, toxins, epithelial cells, and undigested feed. Endotoxins from the cell wall of bacteria may be a significant component of fine dust. Endotoxins can cause adverse responses in humans, including inflammation of the lungs, fever, constriction of the air passages leading to the lungs, and coughs. Because barn dust is considered a biologically active material, researchers at the University of Iowa have recommended that it be limited to only 5% of the level allowed for other industrial dust. Levels of respirable barn dust should therefore not exceed 0.23 mg/m3, or 50 particles per millilitre. During winter, poultry and pig barns in Canada have levels of respirable dust at least 3 times this limit, ranging from 0.8 to 5 mg/m3. Summer levels are usually lower because of high ventilation rates. Dust in feedmixing rooms of dairy barns can also reach high levels, but most dairy units do not have dust levels as high as those found in pig and poultry facilities.

SOURCES OF DUST

Dust is considered to be the most serious contaminant in the air in livestock housing. Referred to scientifically as airborne particulate, dust is measured in microns (), where 1 equals

1 2 3

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food,Stratford, Ontario 'University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario

The Canada Plan Service, a Canadian federal/provincial organization, promotes the transfer of technology through factsheets, design aids and construction drawings that show how to plan and build modern farm structures and equipment for Canadian agriculture. For more information, contact your local provincial agricultural engineer or extension advisor.

separate storage. To prevent the ventilation system from drawing manure gases back into the barn, provide an effective gas trap between the barn and storage. Modify existing cattle barns with storage tanks directly under slatted floors to allow natural ventilation; install at least one curtain sidewall and large doors in other walls. When pumping or agitating liquid manure in longterm storage inside a building, open all doors and remove livestock from the pens under which manure is to be moved. Remember: NEVER go down into a manure tank without an independent air supply. BE PREPARED for a manure gas emergency. Have your workers trained in first aid, especially CPR. Have fire and emergency telephone numbers handy in case a rescue is necessary. RESPIRATORS Pig barns and poultry barns, as well as some areas in other livestock barns, have large quantities of respirable dust. To protect the health, wear a dust respirator when working in these areas. Disposable respirators (dustlmist, TC-21 C-) Disposable masks are the most common defence against respirable dust in livestock and poultry barns. They are satisfactory only if well fitted. They are suitable when workers must be in dusty environments for part of their working day. A dairy farm worker, for example, might wear a mask while working in the feed mill area and also while distributing bedding, but not while feeding silage. Disposable respirators cause some breathing resistance. If a respiratory problem develops upon using a mask, consult a doctor.

Properly fitted disposable respirator worn by a worker handling feed.

Properly fitted disposable respirators protect the wearer well beyond generally accepted exposure limits for dust. When using a disposable dust/mist respirator for the first time, use a basic two-strap model TC-21 C-. The basic two-strap disposable respirators costs about $1.00. They are available in boxes of 10 or 20 from farm supply outlets and stores that sell safety products. Follow the instructions closely. The instruction sheet says that disposable dust/mist respirators are NOT effective against gases, vapors, or fumes. They offer no protection, for example, against manure gases such as hydrogen sulfide. Disposable respirators (dust/mist/fume, TC-21C-) Respirators in this group have an exhalation valve and offer somewhat higher breathing resistance than the dust/mist type. The exhalation valve makes these respirators more comfortable for some people to wear. As with dust/mist respirators, these masks do not protect the worker from gases.

Chemical cartridge (TC-23-) respirators This group of respirators may have disposable or replacement-type face pieces. Disposable face pieces are discarded when the cartridge or filter is exhausted. Replacement face pieces may be used for many cartridge changes, and parts replaced as needed. These respirators are available with cartridges that remove ammonia, pesticides, and other gases. No single cartridge removes all contaminants, so take care to select the appropriate cartridge. The least expensive types cost approximately $20, and prices range upward to $40--$50. These respirators are not effective for people wearing a beard. Powered air-purifying respirator These systems usually consist of a battery-powered fan unit, a replaceable filter, and a helmet and face mask. The fan unit is usually strapped around the waist and connected to the helmet by an air hose. Either hard or soft helmets are available, depending on the type of work. Models are available with replaceable cartridges for ammonia or other gases and vapors, and with a choice of helmets, hoods or masks.

Powered air systems are lightweight and comfortable to wear and can be worn for a full 8 hours. Closeness of fit is not critical; therefore wearing glasses or a beard does not cause a problem. Models designed to protect against dust and mist only are the least bulky and least expensive. They are a logical choice to protect workers from dust in livestock and poultry barns, especially if protection is needed for more than 3 hours a day. They are a necessity for anyone working in barns who suffers from some degree of respiratory impairment. These systems are available from stores that sell safety products and from some farm equipment dealers. When purchasing a powered air system, be sure to keep instruction manuals and be sure that the workers using the equipment are fully trained and properly fitted. Keep a supply of replacement filters and soft hoods on the farm. This type of respirator costs between $400 and $1000, depending on the features available. Care and storage of -masks and powered air-purifying respirators Store all dust protection equipment in a clean, dust-free place, for example, in a cabinet in the most dust-free part of the barn or office. A clean plastic bag can also serve as a storage unit. Discard the mask when it becomes dirty or when breathing ease is reduced.

Powered air-purifying respirator with soft head cover. Air drawn through the belt-mounted filter unit passes through the breathing tube into the head cover. The filtered air then passes over the head to the front of the face, providing the worker with a flow of filtered air. Similar models with hard hat protection are available (courtesy Racal Protection Canada, Brockville, Ontario).