Airborne Cow Allergen, Ammonia and Particulate Matter at Homes Vary with Distance to Industrial Scale Dairy Operations: An Exposure Assessment

Details

• Personal Author:
  Breysse PN ; Diette GB ; Geyh AS ; McCormack MC ; McKenzie S ; Williams DL
• Description:
  Background: Community exposures to environmental contaminants from industrial scale dairy operations are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of dairy operations on nearby communities by assessing airborne contaminants (particulate matter, ammonia, and cow allergen, Bos d 2) associated with dairy operations inside and outside homes. Methods: The study was conducted in 40 homes in the Yakima Valley, Washington State where over 61 dairies operate. Results: A concentration gradient was observed showing that airborne contaminants are significantly greater at homes within one-quarter mile (0.4 km) of dairy facilities, outdoor Bos d 2, ammonia, and TD were 60, eight, and two times higher as compared to homes greater than three miles (4.8 km) away. In addition median indoor airborne Bos d 2 and ammonia concentrations were approximately 10 and two times higher in homes within one-quarter mile (0.4 km) compared to homes greater than three miles (4.8 km) away. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that dairy operations increase community exposures to agents with known human health effects. This study also provides evidence that airborne biological contaminants (i.e. cow allergen) associated with airborne particulate matter are statistically elevated at distances up to three miles (4.8 km) from dairy operations. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Air Pollution, Indoor Animal Husbandry Animals Environmental Exposure Environmental Pollution Hypersensitivity Livestock Occupational Health Particulate Matter Safety

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• Keywords:
  Airborne Particulates Air Contaminants Allergens Ammonia Animal Husbandry Bioaerosols Environmental Contamination Environmental Exposure IAQ Indoor Air Quality Livestock Industry

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• ISSN:
  1476-069X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 3 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  72
• Volume:
  10
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062692
• Citation:
  Environ Health 2011 Aug; 10:72
• Contact Point Address:
  D'Ann L Williams, Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
• Email:
  dlwillia@jhsph.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Ammonia (CAS RN 7664-41-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• Performing Organization:
  Johns Hopkins University
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:51b56a125290aa7c8dcc0d048fedb24713870e5712f78cd3dd6a4248f3e5940954983e20428bf069e8596fe026511d8558c7d104c4de085deed306d706f66a4e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225889/cdc_225889_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 745.48 KB ]