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Environmental health and preventive medicine2010; 16(4); 264-272; doi: 10.1007/s12199-010-0195-5

Installation of mechanical ventilation in a horse stable: effects on air quality and human and equine airways.

Abstract: To examine the effects of installing a mechanical ventilation system at a riding-school stable on indoor air quality and human and horse airways. Methods: The intervention was the installation of mechanical ventilation in a riding-school stable. Carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia, particles, horse allergen, microorganisms and endotoxins were measured in the stable. The stable-workers and riding-students completed a questionnaire and underwent the following tests: analysis of nasal lavage for inflammation biomarkers; levels of exhaled nitrogen oxide (NO); measurements of daily peak-expiratory flow (PEF). The horses were examined clinically by airway endoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and were analysed for cytology and biomarkers. Results: Levels of CO2 were nearly halved and airborne horse allergen levels were markedly reduced (5-0.8 kU/m3) after the intervention. A decreased level of ultrafine particles was observed (8000-5400 particles/cm3) after the intervention, while total and respirable dust levels were mainly unchanged (200 and 130 μg/m3). Levels of microorganisms in surface samples decreased following the intervention, whereas airborne microorganisms and endotoxin increased. There was no significant change in human symptoms, PEF-variability, exhaled NO or inflammatory biomarkers in the nasal lavage. In horses, the mean score of lower airway mucus was significantly reduced together with the mean level of expression of interleukin-6 mRNA in BAL cells after the intervention. Conclusions: The installation of a mechanical ventilation system resulted in an increased air exchange rate, as demonstrated by reduced levels of CO2, ammonia, ultrafine particles and horse allergen. There was no significant clinical effect on human airways, but there was a tendency for reduced inflammation markers. The results on the horses may indicate less impact on their airways after the intervention.
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Publication Date: 2010-12-25 PubMed ID: 21431789PubMed Central: PMC3117214DOI: 10.1007/s12199-010-0195-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Evaluation Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study investigates the impact of using a mechanical ventilation system in a horse stable. It measured the changes in air quality and subsequent effects on the health of humans and horses within the stable. The installation seemed to improve air quality in certain aspects, but it did not significantly affect the air quality in terms of human symptoms. However, horses seemed to show improved health.

Research Method

  • The study involved the undertaking of an intervention in a riding-school stable where mechanical ventilation was installed.
  • Various elements within the stable’s air were measured, including carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia, particles, horse allergen, microorganisms and endotoxins.
  • A questionnaire was administered to stable-workers and riding-students. They also underwent tests analysing nasal lavage for inflammation biomarkers, levels of exhaled nitrogen oxide (NO), and measurements of daily peak-expiratory flow (PEF).
  • The health of the horses was clinically evaluated using airway endoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The animals were also analysed for cytology and biomarkers.

Findings of the Study

  • After the installation of the mechanical ventilation system, the levels of carbon dioxide were almost halved and airborne horse allergen levels were significantly reduced. Also noted was a decrease in the level of ultrafine particles.
  • Contrary to expectation, total and respirable dust levels remained primarily unchanged.
  • Surface samples of microorganisms decreased, but airborne microorganisms and endotoxins increased unexpectedly.
  • No significant change was observed in human symptoms, peak-expiratory flow variability, exhaled nitrogen oxide, or inflammation biomarkers in the nasal lavage.
  • Improvements were seen in the horses’ health. The mean score of lower airway mucus and the mean level of interleukin-6 mRNA expression in bronchoalveolar lavage cells significantly reduced after the intervention.

Conclusions

  • The mechanical ventilation system improved air exchange in the stable, which led to reduced levels of carbon dioxide, ammonia, ultrafine particles, and horse allergens.
  • Despite these improvements, there was no significant change noted in human symptoms or inflammation markers.
  • The system did appear to reduce the impact on horse airways, as evidenced by a decrease in lower airway mucus and a reduction in interleukin-6 mRNA expression.

Cite This Article

APA
Wålinder R, Riihimäki M, Bohlin S, Hogstedt C, Nordquist T, Raine A, Pringle J, Elfman L. (2010). Installation of mechanical ventilation in a horse stable: effects on air quality and human and equine airways. Environ Health Prev Med, 16(4), 264-272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-010-0195-5

Publication

Environmental health and preventive medicine
ISSN: 1347-4715
NlmUniqueID: 9609642
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 4
Pages: 264-272

Researcher Affiliations

Wålinder, Robert
  • Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, University of Uppsala, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden. robert.walinder@medsci.uu.se
Riihimäki, Miia
    Bohlin, Susanne
      Hogstedt, Carl
        Nordquist, Tobias
          Raine, Amanda
            Pringle, John
              Elfman, Lena

                MeSH Terms

                • Adolescent
                • Adult
                • Air Pollutants / analysis
                • Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis
                • Animals
                • Bronchoalveolar Lavage / veterinary
                • Bronchoscopy / veterinary
                • Female
                • Horses
                • Housing, Animal
                • Humans
                • Male
                • Middle Aged
                • Nasal Lavage
                • Nitric Oxide / analysis
                • Occupational Exposure
                • Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
                • Students
                • Surveys and Questionnaires
                • Ventilation / methods
                • Young Adult

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