Monitoring of fine particulates downwind of broiler houses-A field study

Abstract

Air emissions from animal feeding operations have become a growing concern for producers and their neighbors. Much work has been done to quantify emission rates, but little information has been provided about air quality downwind from these facilities. This study investigates levels of particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter as they dissipate from the exhaust fans of selected commercial, tunnel-ventilated, broiler houses in northeast Georgia. Particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter was measured in real time using aerosol monitors and from a time-integrated basis using cyclone samplers. Data were taken over the last 4 wk of a summer flock (considered a worst-case-scenario) and filtered to ensure enough data was present at each distance and time. Based on these data, there is a rapid reduction in fine particulate concentration as the distance from the source increases. When compared with nearby monitoring data, particulate levels appear to be near background levels at distances greater than 30 m (100 ft) from the exhaust fans. © 2013 Poultry Science Association, Inc.