Analyses of airborne contamination with bacteria, endotoxins and dust in livestock barns and poultry houses

In the air of livestock houses different amounts of microorganisms are present along with dust. The aim of this study was to compare results of quantitative analyses of airborne bacteria, endotoxins and dust in livestock and poultry houses. In insulated cowsheds for dairy cows the average amount of microorganisms and gram-negative bacteria were higher than in uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01). Average amounts of microorganisms and gram-negative bacteria in pig and poultry houses were higher than in insulated and uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01), and the air of pig and poultry houses was more contaminated with endotoxins than that of insulated and uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01). In insulated cowsheds the concentration of dust was higher than in uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01). In pig and poultry houses the concentration of dust was higher than in insulated and uninsulated cowsheds (p < 0.01). We detected a close connection among the amount of dust and airborne bacteria and their endotoxins in air of livestock and poultry houses. There is a need for further reducing the emission of environmentally harmful substances. Precise data of this type are of importance for licensing new animal farms as well as residential areas in the farming environment.