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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Exposure to chemical pollutants and biological aerosol in in...
BMC veterinary research2024; 20(1); 78; doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-03930-2

Exposure to chemical pollutants and biological aerosol in indoor facilities for recreational and sport horses.

Abstract: Due to the increasing prevalence of equine non-infectious respiratory disease, the air contamination in equine housing (Stables A-C) and training facilities (indoor riding arenas A - C) was investigated. The aim of the study was to monitor gaseous pollutants, bioaerosols, and dust concentrations at three different sites (stables and riding halls), where different floor materials were used in the riding halls. Methods: Air quality was monitored in housing for horses and in riding halls in terms of dust concentration, the presence of gaseous chemical pollutants, and concentrations of biological aerosol. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The levels obtained were compared with acceptable limits. Results: Among the gaseous pollutants identified, the highest concentration was obtained for ammonia in stables B and C (16.37 and 22.39 mg/m3, respectively). Standards for total dust were exceeded in stables B and C and in riding halls B and C. The highest numbers of bacteria and fungi were recorded in stables A and C and in riding hall B. Ulocladium sp. had the highest percentage share among the moulds identified. Conclusions: The results confirm that the wrong choice of bedding in the stable and indoor riding arenas may contribute, even in short training periods, to equine non-infectious respiratory disease (equine asthma). Bioaerosol suspended in the air together with released gaseous pollutants can exacerbate this phenomenon, which even in the case of short training periods can lead to equine asthma of varying degrees of severity. For this reason, the choice of floor material in riding halls should be treated as a priority, as the wrong decision can shorten the period during which the horse can be used for recreational purposes.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-02-28 PubMed ID: 38413934PubMed Central: PMC10900765DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03930-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research investigated air quality in horse stables and indoor riding arenas and its potential contribution to non-infectious respiratory diseases in horses. It found that certain pollutants and bioaerosols in these indoor environments, influenced by bedding and floor materials, could potentially induce equine asthma even in short training periods.

Research Background:

  • The research was carried out in light of an increasing prevalence of non-infectious respiratory diseases in horses.
  • The researchers aimed to investigate air contamination in horse stables and indoor riding arenas. The contaminants of interest were gaseous pollutants, bioaerosols, and dust concentrations.
  • The researchers speculated that these contaminants, particularly when influenced by various floor materials, could contribute to the development of equine asthma, even during short training periods.

Methodology:

  • Air quality was monitored in different settings, including horse housing and indoor riding halls.
  • These settings differed in the use of floor materials, which could influence air quality.
  • The concentrations of dust, gaseous chemical pollutants, and biological aerosols were measured.
  • The researchers also carried out statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the results across the different locations and conditions.
  • The results of each variable’s concentration were compared with acceptable limits set by relevant standards.

Findings:

  • The most prominent gaseous pollutant identified was ammonia, with the highest concentrations found in stables B and C.
  • Total dust concentrations exceeded acceptable standards in stables B and C, as well as in riding halls B and C.
  • Stables A and C, as well as riding hall B, contained the highest quantities of bacteria and fungi.
  • Of the identified moulds, Ulocladium sp. had the greatest percentage share.

Conclusions:

  • The research findings confirmed the initial hypothesis that incorrect choice of bedding and floor materials in stables and indoor riding arenas could contribute to equine non-infectious respiratory disease, such as equine asthma.
  • Even in short training periods, gaseous pollutants and bioaerosols in the air can exacerbate this problem, potentially leading to varying degrees of equine asthma.
  • Therefore, emphasis was placed on the importance of proper flooring choices in riding halls, as incorrect decisions could shorten the horse’s usability for recreational activities.

Cite This Article

APA
Rodzyń I, Karpińska K, Bis-Wencel H, Wlazło Ł, Ossowski M, Strzelec K, Jaguszewski S, Nowakowicz-Dębek B. (2024). Exposure to chemical pollutants and biological aerosol in indoor facilities for recreational and sport horses. BMC Vet Res, 20(1), 78. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-03930-2

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Pages: 78

Researcher Affiliations

Rodzyń, Izabela
  • Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, 20-950, Poland.
Karpińska, Katarzyna
  • Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, 20-950, Poland. katarzyna.karpinska@up.lublin.pl.
Bis-Wencel, Hanna
  • Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, 20-950, Poland.
Wlazło, Łukasz
  • Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, 20-950, Poland.
Ossowski, Mateusz
  • Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, 20-950, Poland.
Strzelec, Katarzyna
  • Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20‑950, Lublin, Poland.
Jaguszewski, Sebastian
  • Student Scientific Association of Occupational and Environmental Hazards, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Science in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20‑950, Lublin, Poland.
Nowakowicz-Dębek, Bożena
  • Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, Lublin, 20-950, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Dust / analysis
  • Bacteria
  • Fungi
  • Asthma / veterinary
  • Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets
  • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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