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Industrial Livestock Production Facilities: Airborne Emissions
Book chapter

Industrial Livestock Production Facilities: Airborne Emissions

P.S Thorne
Encyclopedia of Environmental Health, Five-Volume Set, pp.218-226
Elsevier B.V
2011
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-52272-6.00423-2

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Abstract

Industrial livestock production facilities emit to the air noxious gases, vapors, bioaerosols, and particulate matter. These compounds emanate from livestock buildings, open waste storage reservoirs, and sites of manure land application. Some effluents act as greenhouse gases, whereas others present respiratory health hazards to the livestock facility workers. Vapor-phase toxicants and bioaerosols can be transported via the air to neighboring dwellings and pose a public health risk. Odors associated with anaerobic microbial decomposition of manure contain over 300 identified chemicals and can be particularly offensive. Airborne microorganisms can be infectious or noninfectious or can act as allergens. When inhaled, bacterial endotoxin and fungal glucans act as ligands for pattern recognition receptors to trigger innate immunity producing inflammatory lung disease. Evidence is mounting that excessive nontherapeutic use of antibiotics is giving rise to resistant bacteria that are airborne in the barns and are emitted and carried downwind from animal houses. Large setbacks from residences or public use areas, application of biofilters, use of aerobic manure digestors, and proper manure handling are available controls that reduce the risks of community exposures to toxicants from livestock production facilities.
 Greenhouse Gases Asthma Lung disease Manure Toxic alveolitis Endotoxin Glucan Hydrogen sulfide Ammonia Concentrated animal feeding operation Bioaerosol Swine Nontherapeutic antibiotics Odor

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