Inhalable and Respirable Organic Dust Concentrations During Broiler Production

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bray J ; Gilmore K ; Hussain A ; Jerez S ; Levin J ; Nonnenmann M ; Ward W
• Description:
  Introduction: Organic dust is often a complex mixture of bedding, feces, skin, as well as various microorganisms and endotoxins. Little information is available about characteristics of organic dust and concentrations in broiler production. Exposure to organic dust has been associated with pulmonary symptoms and declines in the pulmonary function. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess organic dust concentrations during the seven-week growth period in a broiler production building and provide respiratory protection recommendations to broiler producers. Methods: Dust concentrations were measured in a broiler production facility which housed approximately 27,000 birds. Inhalable and respirable dusts were measured gravimetrically using and IOM and aluminum cyclone at 2.0 and 2.5 L/min, respectively. Samplers were attached to a mannequin of the broiler production building which rotated 90 degrees every 30 minutes for 12 hours. Samples were collected once per week over the seven week broiler growth period. Results: The lowest inhalable dust concentration was measured at 0.5 mg/m3 during the first week of the growth period. The highest inhalable dust concentration was measured the last week of broiler growth at 13.4 mg/m3. Respirable dust concentrations were at the limit of detection until week four of the growth period with the maximum concentration observed being 0.7 mg/m3. The inhalable and respirable dust concentrations were significantly correlated with week of growth at r = .86 (p = .01) and r = .76 (p = .05), respectively. Conclusion: The highest concentration of inhalable dust measured was 13.36 mg/m3, which was greater than the recommended guidelines. These results suggest that workers in broiler production may be exposed to high concentrations of organic dusts. These results must be generalized with caution as the area sampling methodology may not represent occupational exposure. Respirator use is recommended, particularly in the later stages of the broiler growth period [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Agriculture Bacteria Dust Livestock Lung Microbiology Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  Agricultural Industry Bacterial Cultures Bacterial Dusts Dust Analysis Dust Inhalation Livestock Industry Microorganisms Organic Dusts Pulmonary Function Respirable Dust Respiratory Irritants

  More +
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 6 ; Texas
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  81-82
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20053173
• Citation:
  AIHce 2011: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 14-19, 2011, Portland, Oregon. Falls Church, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2011 May; :81-82
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20010930
• Source Full Name:
  AIHce 2011: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 14-19, 2011, Portland, Oregon
• End Date:
  20270929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a97b745c667010d0e2047a33c8ed62859628212e7b3ef3dde147463e7f5ac56e784c274f1d766fea3f9c4ccec65a3d697d52d6a734c16b3ca0a74de712ec8324
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/215985/cdc_215985_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 230.81 KB ]