Identification of risk factors for sub-optimal housing conditions in Australian piggeries: Part 2. Airborne pollutants.

The concentrations of total airborne bacteria, respirable endotoxins, ammonia, and respirable and inhalable particles were monitored in 160 piggery buildings in Australia between autumn 1997 and autumn 1999. The overall mean airborne bacteria, respirable endotoxins, ammonia (NH3), and inhalable and respirable particle concentrations measured were 1.17 x 10(5) cfu m(-3), 33.1 EU m(-3), 3.7 ppm, 1.74 mg m(-3), and 0.26 mg m(-3), respectively. The characteristics of the buildings and management systems used were documented at the time of sampling. A multifactorial general linear model (GLM) statistical procedure was used to analyze the effects of housing and management factors on the concentrations of the airborne pollutants. Both airborne bacteria and respirable endotoxin concentrations were affected by building classification (type), and respirable endotoxin concentrations were positively correlated with increasing humidity. The concentrations of airborne bacteria increased as the level of pen hygiene (cleanliness) decreased. The NH3 concentrations were primarily affected by level of pen hygiene, building volume, pig flow management, and season. Building classification, pig flow management, season, building volume, ventilation rates, and temperature affected inhalable particle concentrations. Respirable particle concentrations were primarily affected by building classification, pen hygiene, pig flow management, season, ventilation rates, temperature, and humidity. These findings suggest that environmental improvement strategies (such as improved cleaning, ventilation, and temperature control) are likely to reduce airborne pollutant concentrations in pig buildings and in the environment, thus improving the health and welfare of both pigs and farm staff.