Concentration and emissions of ammonia and particulate matter in tunnel-ventilated broiler houses under summer conditions in Texas

Total suspended particulate (TSP) concentrations, ammonia (NH3) concentrations, and ventilation rates were measured in four commercial, tunnel-ventilated broiler houses in June through December of 2000 in Brazos County, Texas. TSP and NH3 concentrations ranged from 7,387 to 11,387 μg m-3 and 2.02 to 45 ppm, respectively. Ammonia concentration exhibited a correlation with the age of the birds. Mass median diameters (MMD) of the TSP samples were between 24.0 and 26.7 μm aerodynamic equivalent diameter. MMD increased with bird age. The mass fraction of PM10 in the TSP samples was between 2.72% and 8.40% with a mean of 5.94%. Ventilation rates were measured between 0.58 and 89 m3 s-1. Measured concentrations of PM10 and ammonia were multiplied by the measured ventilation rates to calculate emission rates for PM10 and ammonia. Ammonia emission rates varied from 38 to 2105 g hr-1. TSP emission rates and PM10 emission rates ranged from 7.0 to 1673 g hr-1 and 0.58 to 99 g hr-1, respectively. Emission rates for ammonia and particulate matter increased with the age of the birds. Most of the PM in the commercial broiler houses was large enough to be captured by the human or poultry respiratory system prior to being inhaled into the lungs.