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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2018; 32(3); 1234-1240; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15069

Effect of ionization, bedding, and feeding on air quality in a horse stable.

Abstract: Organic dust is associated with Equine asthma. Ionization should reduce airborne dust levels. Objective: To determine the effect of ionization of air, type of bedding, and feed on the levels of airborne dust, endotoxin, and fungal colonies in horse stables. Methods: 24 healthy University-owned horses occupied the stables. Methods: A randomized controlled cross-over study. Four units with 6 stables were equipped with an ionization installation (25 VA, 5000 Volt Direct Current). Horses were kept either on wood shavings and fed haylage (2 units), or on straw and fed dry hay (2 units). Measurements were performed with and without activated ionization, during daytime and nighttime, repeatedly over the course of a week and repeatedly during 4-6 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed effect model with Akaike's Information Criterion for model reduction and 95% profile (log) likelihood confidence intervals (CI). Results: Ionization did not alter concentrations of dust, endotoxin, or fungi, fewer. In the units with straw and hay, the concentration of dust, endotoxin, and fungi (difference in logarithmic mean 1.92 (95%CI 1.71-2.12); 2.86 (95%CI 2.59-3.14); 1.75 (95%CI 1.13-2.36)) were significantly higher compared to wood shavings and haylage. Conclusions: The installation of a negative air-ionizer in the horse stable did not reduce concentrations of dust, endotoxin, and viable fungal spores. The substantial effect of low dust bedding and feed is confirmed.
Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2018-02-27 PubMed ID: 29485234PubMed Central: PMC5980306DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15069Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

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.

This research article studies the effect of ionization, bedding type, and feeding type on air quality in horse stables. However, the research shows that ionization doesn’t decrease airborne dust levels, and that air quality is significantly affected by the choice of bedding and feed.

Objective

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of ionization of air, type of bedding used, and type of feed given to horses on the level of airborne dust, endotoxin, and fungal colonies in horse stables. This is due to the relation between organic dust and Equine asthma, hoping that ionization could reduce airborne dust levels.

Methods

  • A total of 24 healthy University-owned horses occupying the stables were used in the study.
  • The study followed a randomized controlled cross-over design.
  • Four units with 6 stables each were equipped with an ionization installation.
  • Different types of bedding and feed were used: wood shavings with haylage or straw with dry hay.
  • Measurements were performed both with and without the ionization system activated, during daytime and nighttime, repeatedly over a week and then repeatedly over a 4-6 week period, to get comprehensive data.
  • The statistical analysis was done using a mixed-effect model with Akaike’s Information Criterion for model reduction and 95% profile (log) likelihood confidence intervals.

Results

  • The use of an ionizer did not change the concentrations of dust, endotoxins, or fungi in the stables’ air.
  • The type of bedding and feed significantly affected airborne dust, endotoxins, and fungi concentrations. Dust, endotoxin, and fungi concentration were higher in stables using straw and dry hay compared to those using wood shavings and haylage.

Conclusions

  • The implementation of a negative air-ionizer in horse stables was not effective in reducing concentrations of dust, endotoxins, and viable fungal spores.
  • Using low dust bedding and feed was proven to be substantially effective in improving the air quality in horse stables.

Cite This Article

APA
Siegers EW, Anthonisse M, van Eerdenburg FJCM, van den Broek J, Wouters IM, Westermann CM. (2018). Effect of ionization, bedding, and feeding on air quality in a horse stable. J Vet Intern Med, 32(3), 1234-1240. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15069

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 32
Issue: 3
Pages: 1234-1240

Researcher Affiliations

Siegers, Esther Willemijn
  • Equine Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Anthonisse, Milou
  • Equine Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van Eerdenburg, Frank J C M
  • Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van den Broek, Jan
  • Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Wouters, Inge M
  • Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Westermann, Cornélie Martine
  • Equine Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

MeSH Terms

  • Air Ionization
  • Air Pollution, Indoor
  • Animal Feed
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Bedding and Linens / veterinary
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Horses
  • Housing, Animal

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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