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Equine veterinary journal1993; 25(3); 208-213; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02945.x

Airborne dust and aeroallergen concentration in a horse stable under two different management systems.

Abstract: Airborne dust concentration (ADC) was measured in 2 different horse management systems using an Andersen cascade impactor in the box-stall, and a personal Marple cascade impactor attached to the halter to measure ADC in the breathing zone. The levels of aeroallergens implicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were measured by radioallergosorbent-inhibition immunoassay. A conventional management system (System C) utilising hay feed and straw bedding, and a recommended environment (System R) utilising wood shaving bedding and a complete pelleted diet were studied. In the stall, total and respirable ADC (geometric mean) were significantly higher in System C (2.55 mg/m3; 0.44 mg/m3, respectively) than in System R (0.70 mg/m3; 0.20 mg/m3, respectively). In System C, the total and respirable ADC in the breathing zone (17.51 mg/m3; 9.28 mg/m3) were much higher than in the stall, but values in both regions were similar in System R (0.52 mg/m3; 0.30 mg/m3). Major aeroallergens were significantly higher in System C than in System R: Micropolyspora faeni (1423 ng/m3 and 705 ng/m3), Aspergillus fumigatus (1823 ng/m3 and 748 ng/m3), and mite allergens (1420 ng/m3 and 761 ng/m3). Measurement of ADC with personal samplers indicates that the very high inhalation challenge in the breathing zone is not reflected in measurements of stall air quality. When compared with System C, System R produced only 3% of the respirable dust burden in the breathing zone and a decreased aeroallergen challenge.
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Publication Date: 1993-05-01 PubMed ID: 8508749DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02945.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the airborne dust and allergen concentration in two different horse stable management systems. The results show there is significant reduction in dust and allergen levels in the system using wood shaving bedding and complete pelleted diet compared to the one using hay and straw bedding.

Research methodology

  • The research employed the use of an Andersen cascade impactor in box-stall to measure airborne dust concentrations in two different horse stable management systems.
  • A personal Marple cascade impactor was also attached to the halter to capture the concentration of dust in the breathing zone.
  • The levels of aeroallergens, which are often implicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), were measured using a radioallergosorbent-inhibition immunoassay.
  • A conventional management system (System C) using hay feed and straw bedding, and a recommended environment (System R) using wood shaving bedding and a complete pelleted diet were the two systems investigated.

Research findings

  • In the stall, total and respirable airborne dust concentrations (ADC) were significantly higher in System C (average concentration of 2.55 mg/m3 and 0.44 mg/m3 respectively) compared to System R (0.70 mg/m3 and 0.20 mg/m3 respectively).
  • In the breathing zone, dust in System C was much higher (17.51 mg/m3 and 9.28 mg/m3) than in the stall, while measurements in both stall and the breathing zone of System R were similar and notably lower (0.52 mg/m3 and 0.30 mg/m3).
  • Major allergens such as Micropolyspora faeni, Aspergillus fumigatus, and mite allergens were significantly higher in System C compared to System R.
  • The study showed that using personal samplers to measure ADC indicates that a high inhalation challenge in the breathing zone isn’t reflected in measurements of overall stall air quality.
  • In comparison with System C, System R was found to produce only 3% of the respirable dust burden in the breathing zone and thus offers a decreased aeroallergen challenge.

Cite This Article

APA
Woods PS, Robinson NE, Swanson MC, Reed CE, Broadstone RV, Derksen FJ. (1993). Airborne dust and aeroallergen concentration in a horse stable under two different management systems. Equine Vet J, 25(3), 208-213. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02945.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 3
Pages: 208-213

Researcher Affiliations

Woods, P S
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
Robinson, N E
    Swanson, M C
      Reed, C E
        Broadstone, R V
          Derksen, F J

            MeSH Terms

            • Air Microbiology
            • Air Pollution, Indoor
            • Allergens / analysis
            • Animal Husbandry
            • Animals
            • Aspergillus fumigatus / growth & development
            • Dust
            • Horse Diseases / etiology
            • Horses
            • Housing, Animal
            • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / etiology
            • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / veterinary
            • Micromonosporaceae / growth & development
            • Mites / growth & development
            • Seasons

            Citations

            This article has been cited 21 times.
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