The Indoor Environment at the University Equestrian Facility in the Autumn Semester: A Case Study

Abstract

This article aims to show some of the factors that influence the internal environment in a horse stable under the operating conditions of a university farm during the autumn semester. The conditions inside the stable were favorable in terms of temperature and air humidity as well as CO2 concentration during this period. According to anonymous statements of 94 respondents (workers, students, and members of the equestrian club), 83% of them suffer from occasional respiratory problems, which could be contributed to by the deterioration of the indoor environment, especially dustiness. Analysis of the measured dust concentration values showed that the largest share of the dust concentration was made by large particles above 10 μm. There was no difference between the average concentration of PM10 dust particles (877 μg·m−3) during bedding with straw or a mixture of sawdust and shavings. The average concentration of PM10 particles during the cleaning of the corridor was also high (185.9 ± 105.4 μg·m−3). On the contrary, the average concentration of PM2.5 particles during the cleaning of the corridor (173.1 ± 50.3 μg·m−3) was higher than during bedding with straw (54.4 ± 34.9 μg·m−3) or a mixture of sawdust and shavings (69.2 ± 22.1 μg·m−3). The average concentration of dust during the movement of horses in the outdoor riding arena was within the recommended limit values for outdoor limits of PM10 and PM2.5. The average sound pressure level LpAi = 47.0 ± 8.7 dB fluctuated during the day, but the horses were not disturbed during rest and sleep, even though this equestrian facility is located near a commercial airport.