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.…
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
- Ambient Particulate Matter Concentration Determination, Lingjuan Wang-Li, North Carolina State University
- Air Pollution Monitoring, Bruce Dvorak and Dennis Schulte, University of Nebraska
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.…
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.…
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.…