96 Investigating farmers’ exposure to airborne pollutants in free stall dairy barns

• Published in: Annals of work exposures and health 2024-06, Vol.68 (Supplement_1), p.1-1
• Main Authors: Baclayon Johansen, Ellen Kristina, Jørgensen, Rikke, Nordhammer, Anna, Smedbold, Hans Thore
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2398-7308; 2398-7316
• DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae035.043

Pollutants in barns can lead to health problems for farmers. Due to animal welfare considerations, a transition from tie stall barns to free stall barns is underway. This transition can affect the farmers working environment; thus knowledge about what pollutants are present in free stall barns are crucial. With such knowledge, the farmers can implement preventive measures during the construction phase. This study investigated three free stall barns in Norway. They were different in size, age and technical solutions. Two barns stored the manure under the barn and used mechanical ventilation. One barn stored the manure in a tank outside and used natural ventilation. Two fractions of dust and five gases were measured using personal air samplers. A work log was written in order to identify activities and places that could result in high exposure. Temperature, carbon dioxide and relative humidity were measured to assess the climatic conditions. Exposure to dust seemed to correlate to the farmer’s activities more than constructional factors. High dust exposure were found during cleaning activities, removal of manure, use of cattle feed mixer and more. Constructional factors like ventilation and manure storage seemed to be more important for gas exposure, rather than farmer activities. Exposure levels of ammonia can possibly exceed OEL and must be controlled. Due to the ammonia sensors’ cross sensitivity to chlorine, possible exposure to chlorine gas and chloramines were discussed.