Size Distribution of Particulate and Associated Endotoxin and Bacteria in Traditional Swine Barn Rooms and Rooms Sprinkled With Oil

• Published in: Journal of agromedicine Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 271 - 279
• Main Authors: Siggers, Jayda L, Kirychuk, Shelley P, Lemay, Stéphane P, Willson, Philip J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01.10.2011; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aerosols; Air Microbiology; Air Pollution, Indoor - prevention & control; air quality; Airborne particulates; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Bacteria; Bacterial Load; barns; Canola; Canola Oil; dust; endotoxin; endotoxins; Endotoxins - isolation & purification; European Union; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; Fungi; Gram-Positive Bacteria - isolation & purification; Housing, Animal; intestinal microorganisms; oil sprinkling; particle size distribution; particulate; Particulate Matter; particulates; Pilot Projects; size-sampling; Swine; Swine houses
• ISSN: 1545-0813; 1059-924X; 1545-0813
• DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2011.606418

The objective of this pilot study was to investigate if a once-a-day sprinkling of canola oil in a swine confinement facility alters the airborne concentration and distribution of particulate matter and associated compounds (endotoxin and culturable microbes). Particulate was collected using an eight-stage cascade impactor in four identical swine grower/finisher rooms of a swine barn. Particulate (mg/m³) and endotoxin (EU/m³ and EU/mg) distribution was determined. A six-stage viable cascade impactor was used to quantify total bacteria, enteric bacteria, and fungi. Microbes were characterized from subcultures prepared from the 10 most predominant colony types on each stage 3 (aerodynamic size 3.3–4.7μm) of the collection plates. Results indicated that oil sprinkling reduced total dust by 86% and total endotoxin concentration by 82.5%. However, the distribution patterns indicate that reduction is observed predominantly on large dust particles. In addition, the proportion of endotoxin associated with smaller particulate sizes (i.e., particles <4.7 μm) was higher in the oil-sprinkled rooms. Oil sprinkling does not markedly alter distribution of total bacteria, enteric bacteria, or fungi. The most frequently identified species were gram-positive genera. Oil sprinkling in swine confinement grower/finisher rooms can significantly reduce airborne total dust and endotoxin; however, smaller particles and associated endotoxin appear to remain in suspension, suggesting the overall improvement in air quality is uncertain. Further distribution studies and exposure outcome studies would need to be undertaken to determine the impacts of oil sprinkling.