March 2004 Agdex 086-5

Dust Control for Livestock Buildings

T he exposure to dust and other harmful gases in
confined livestock buildings is at a high level among
livestock producers. Air pollutants have been implicated in
A worker may experience high risk because of work area
(location) or work procedure (task).

causing respiratory diseases for livestock producers and in The following are important considerations when
making them worse. Swine and poultry workers have a assigning tasks for workers in livestock or poultry units:
high prevalence of wheezing and chronic bronchitis.
• proximity to contaminant sources
• frequency of proximity to contaminant

Dust sources • worker complaints and illness

In livestock buildings, dust consists of animal hair, skin,

dry manure and feed. Organic dust contains feather
particles, pollen, insect parts, molds, fungi, viruses and
Livestock producers and workers
bacteria. are at risk for respiratory
diseases
Dust measurement Bronchitis
Dust is mostly measured as mg (airborne dust) per cubic Symptoms include cough, phlegm, tightness of chest,
metre of airspace (mg/m3). The size of the dust particles shortness of breath, wheezing.
varies from less than 0.1 micron (µm) to over 100 µm.

The important fractions are inhalable dust (less than Chronic Farmer Lung Disease
10 µm) and respirable dust (less than 5.0 µm). About May occur with repeated dust exposures although it is
80 to 90 per cent of the dust inside swine and poultry possible to develop it after only one attack. Symptoms
buildings is smaller than 5 µm and can be inhaled deeply include chronic coughing, increasing and severe shortness
into the lungs. of breath with slight exertion, weakness and body aches,
and occasional fever.

Factors affecting dust Occupational Asthma

concentration Symptoms include tightness of chest, shortness of breath

and wheezing.
The concentration of dust in the air is affected by
temperature, relative humidity, ventilation systems, feeding Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS)
practices, stocking density, cleanliness of the buildings, About one-third of swine producers have had one or more
bedding materials and animal activities. episodes of ODTS. Symptoms include fever episodes,
headaches, muscle aches, flu-like illness and shortness of
breath.
Dust is an occupational hazard
The majority of agricultural safety groups consider
working in livestock facilities as a high-risk occupation.
Table 1. Ambient levels of dust in swine confinement buildings

Typical ambient Recommended maximum Threshold

Type of dust Range concentrations exposure concentrations limit values
(mg/m3) (mg/m3) (mg/m3) (mg/m3)

Total dust 2.0 - 15.0 4.0 2.50 10.0

Respirable dust 0.1 - 1.0 0.4 0.23 3.0

Dust control methods for Air misting

livestock buildings Misting of the incoming air wets the litter directly or
indirectly as a result of high relative humidity. This method
The control of dust in intensive livestock buildings is will reduce airborne dust generation from the litter.
important to reduce nuisance and dust respiratory hazards,
and also to prevent heat recovery or heating and cooling
equipment and buildings from being fouled by dust. Dust
hazards can be reduced in four ways: Ionization
Air ionization systems to accelerate and remove dust from
• minimize the occurrence of fine particles
livestock buildings have been investigated by a number of
• prevent these particles from forming dust clouds researchers.
• remove airborne dust using air cleaning devices
• have workers use dust masks
How to protect yourself from
Feeding dust exposure
1. The most practical way to control dust exposure is by
Proper and timely maintenance of feeders, augers and
wearing air-purifying respirators or dust masks
other feed handling equipment is required for proper dust
(disposable or reusable).
control. The addition of oil to dry swine rations
significantly reduces the amount of dust in a building. 2. Provide adequate ventilation if you have to work in a
dusty environment.
3. Keep the livestock building as clean as possible.
Ventilation 4. Do your chores inside the barn when the animals are
resting (no animal activities).
The major method of controlling dust and air
contamination in enclosed livestock facilities is by
mechanical ventilation. Air flow by ventilation has
capabilities to remove aerosols from livestock buildings, Summary
especially during the warm weather when the ventilation Producers and livestock workers need to be aware and
rates are very high. During winter, ventilation rates are informed of the dangers of being exposed to dusty
reduced to conserve heat and avoid chilling. Lowered environments. All the measures to protect against dust
ventilation rates result in a rise of dust. exposure should be taken, and medical help should be
sought if producers or workers experience any illness
related to their exposure to a dust.
Oil sprinkling Livestock producers or workers should also have a yearly
Sprinkling canola oil or mineral oil will reduce the physical examination to check their respiratory condition
respirable dust emissions in mechanically ventilated grower and compare any changes in lung function from year to
barns. year.

Prepared by:
Atta Atia, PhD. – Manure Management Specialist

03/04/500