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Research in veterinary science2007; 83(2); 256-262; doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.12.002

Respirable dust concentrations in equine stables. Part 1: validation of equipment and effect of various management systems.

Abstract: Traditional methods of measuring airborne dust concentrations (ADC) in animal housing have included the collection of dust onto pre-weighed filters permitting the calculation of mean, not maximum, ADC. However real-time continuous particle monitors are advantageous in identifying short duration elevations in ADC which may be detrimental to equine respiratory health in the face of a relatively low mean ADC. These monitors have not previously been used to measure ADC in equine stables. Comparisons of a filter-based sampler and a real-time continuous particle monitor revealed no significant difference (P=0.079) and good agreement (>or=95% of the points fell within two standard deviations of the mean of the differences and the mean of the differences approximated zero) between the devices, with respect to mean respirable dust concentration (RDC) measurements. Investigations of the influence of various equine management systems on RDC revealed that both mean and maximum breathing zone RDC were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in equine stables by changing the environment from hay feed and straw bedding, to haylage feed and wood shavings bedding (reduction in mean - 0.0867mg/m(3) to 0.0260mg/m(3); reduction in maximum - 4.0758mg/m(3) to 0.2182mg/m(3), respectively).
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Publication Date: 2007-05-02 PubMed ID: 17477944DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.12.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The researchers have compared the traditional method of measuring airborne dust concentrations (ADC) in horse stables with real-time continuous particle monitors, and found no significant difference. They also discovered that changing the bedding material and feed type can drastically reduce both the mean and maximum breathing zone respirable dust concentrations.

Dust Measurement Methods

  • The traditional method of calculating the mean ADC in animal housing involves collecting dust on pre-weighed filters. This, however, does not allow the detection of peak ADC, which may impact equine respiratory health, especially if the average ADC is relatively low.
  • Real-time continuous particle monitors are advantageous in identifying short, high-level surges in ADC. However, they had not previously been used in horse stables.
  • The researchers compared the performance of a filter-based sampler and a real-time continuous particle monitor in measuring ADC in horse stables and found no significant difference in their results, indicating that both methods are viable for assessing mean respirable dust concentration (RDC).

Impact of Management Systems on Dust Concentrations

  • The study also looked into how different equine management methods influence RDC in horse stables.
  • They discovered that replacing straw bedding and hay feed with wood shavings bedding and haylage feed significantly reduced both the mean and maximum respirable dust concentrations in the horses’ breathing zone. Specifically, the mean RDC dropped from 0.0867mg/m(3) to 0.0260mg/m(3), and the maximum RDC went from 4.0758mg/m(3) to 0.2182mg/m(3).
  • This implies that changes in management systems can play a vital role in maintaining better respiratory health for horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Clements JM, Pirie RS. (2007). Respirable dust concentrations in equine stables. Part 1: validation of equipment and effect of various management systems. Res Vet Sci, 83(2), 256-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.12.002

Publication

Research in veterinary science
ISSN: 0034-5288
NlmUniqueID: 0401300
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 83
Issue: 2
Pages: 256-262

Researcher Affiliations

Clements, J M
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, United Kingdom. jennyswain@hotmail.com
Pirie, R S

    MeSH Terms

    • Animal Husbandry / instrumentation
    • Animal Husbandry / methods
    • Animal Husbandry / standards
    • Animals
    • Dust / analysis
    • Horses / physiology
    • Housing, Animal / standards
    • Reproducibility of Results
    • Respiration

    Citations

    This article has been cited 18 times.
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