Evaluating Air Quality in Animal Housing

Air quality in animal feeding operations (AFOs) is relevant not only for human health but also the health and productivity of the animals living in that environment. What are some of the main principles in measuring air quality? What are some of the instruments that can be used? The following materials were developed for college instructors to utilize in their classrooms when presenting about air quality measurement in animal agriculture.

Fact Sheet

Acknowledgements

These materials were developed by the Air Quality Education in Animal Agriculture (AQEAA) project with with financial support from the National Research Initiative Competitive Grant 2007-55112-17856 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

For questions about the materials on this page contact Dr. Eileen Wheeler, Pennsylvania State University. For questions about the AQEAA project, contact Dr. Rick Stowell, Unviersity of Nebraska (rstowell2@unl.edu).

If you have presentations, photos, video, publications, or other instructional materials that could be added to the curricula on this page, please contact  Jill Heemstra (jheemstra@unl.edu).

Measuring Particulate Matter (Dust) in Animal Agriculture

Particulate matter (often called dust) is made up of particles that are suspended in the air. The following materials were developed for college instructors to utilize in their classrooms when presenting about particulates and livestock or poultry farms.

Laboratory Exercises

Presentation Slides

Techniques for Determining Particle Size Distribution (PSD) of Particulate Matter

This presentation was given to the American Chemical Society in 2011 and focuses on comparisons between different techniques as well as the challenges is making these measurements. (36 slides; 6 MB). Download a copy of this presentation.

Note: Some of the graphics are missing in the Slideshare preview below, but they are all available in the download link.

Photo Slide Show



Clicking on a photo will take you to its page with the description and the person that should be credited if you use the photo in a presentation.

Acknowledgements

These materials were developed by the Air Quality Education in Animal Agriculture (AQEAA) project with with financial support from the National Research Initiative Competitive Grant 2007-55112-17856 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

For questions about the materials on this page contact Dr. Eileen Wheeler, Pennsylvania State University or the author, Dr. Lingjuan Wang-Li, North Carolina State University. For questions about the AQEAA project, contact Dr. Rick Stowell, Unviersity of Nebraska (rstowell2@unl.edu).

If you have presentations, photos, video, publications, or other instructional materials that could be added to the curricula on this page, please contact  Jill Heemstra (jheemstra@unl.edu).

Measuring Bioaerosols in Animal Agriculture

Bioaerosols are particles of biological origin that are suspended in the air. These particles can include viruses, bacteria, fungal spores, and pollen. Bioaerosols are commonplace in the air, but measuring them presents some challenges. The following materials were developed for college instructors to utilize in their classrooms when presenting about bioaerosols.

Fact Sheet

This fact sheet is 15 pages (1 MB; PDF format) and suitable for printing in color or black and white. Download a copy of the fact sheet.

  • Bioaerosol Sampling in Animal Environments, by Lingjuan Wang Li, North Carolina State University; Otto D. Simmons III, North Carolina State University; Eileen Fabian Wheeler, The Pennsylvania State University

Presentation Slides

Measuring Bioaerosols in Animal Environments

This presentation includes 91 slides (30 MB) and consists of a classroom lecure and a hands-on workshop or lab section. Download a copy of this presentation.

Acknowledgements

These materials were developed by the Air Quality Education in Animal Agriculture (AQEAA) project with with financial support from the National Research Initiative Competitive Grant 2007-55112-17856 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

For questions about the materials on this page contact Dr. Eileen Wheeler, Pennsylvania State University or the author, Dr. Lingjuan Wang-Li, North Carolina State University. For questions about the AQEAA project, contact Dr. Rick Stowell, Unviersity of Nebraska (rstowell2@unl.edu).

If you have presentations, photos, video, publications, or other instructional materials that could be added to the curricula on this page, please contact  Jill Heemstra (jheemstra@unl.edu).

Odor Measurement in Animal Agriculture

Odors are the most common nuisance complaint associated with animal feeding operations (AFOs), but is one of the most challenging to measure. Unlike other air emissions from AFOs odor is not one easily identifiable gas or molecular compound. Instead, odor is made up of many (hundreds!) of individual odorous compounds. Complicating this scenario is the fact that each person on the receiving end of odor has a different perspective, different tolerance, and different interpretation of what they are smelling. The following materials were developed for college instructors to utilize in their classrooms when presenting about odors.

Fact Sheet

Archived Webinar

Monitoring Manure Odors Following Land Application

Robin Brandt, Pennsylvania State University (15 minutes)

Presentation Slides

Acknowledgements

These materials were developed by the Air Quality Education in Animal Agriculture (AQEAA) project with with financial support from the National Research Initiative Competitive Grant 2007-55112-17856 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

For questions about the materials on this page contact Dr. Eileen Wheeler, Pennsylvania State University. For questions about the AQEAA project, contact Dr. Rick Stowell, Unviersity of Nebraska (rstowell2@unl.edu).

If you need to download a copy of a segment, submit a request.