Assessment of an Aerosol Treatment To Improve Air Quality in a Swine Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)

摘要

Poor air quality within swine concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) poses a threat to workers,the surrounding community,and farm production. Accordingly,the current study was conducted to evaluate a technology for reducing air pollution including particulate matter (PM),viable bacteria,and ammonia within such a facility. The technology consists of an acid-oil-alcohol aerosol applied daily. Its effectiveness was evaluated by comparing air quality from before to after treatment and between treated and untreated sides of a barn separated by an impervious partition. On the untreated side,air quality was typical for a swine CAFO,with mean PM_(2.5) of 0.28 mg/m~3 and PM_(TOT) of 1.5 mg/m~3. The treatment yielded a reduction in PM concentration of 75-90% from before to after treatment. Effectiveness increased with time,application,and particle size (40% reduction for 1 mum and 90% for >10 mum). Airborne bacteria levels (total bacteria,Enterobac-teriaceae,and gram-positive cocci) decreased one logarithmic unit after treatment. In contrast,treatment had no effect on ammonia concentrations. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of an intervention in yielding exposure and emission reductions.