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.…
Animal Diet and Feed Management for Reducing Air Emissions
Air emissions from animal agriculture operations and manure storage include gases and particulate matter (dust). The amounts and types of gases can be affected by many different factors, including animal diet. Altering animal diets to reduce the levels of air emissions can be done by finding ways to more closely match animal needs with nutrients available in their diet.…
Mitigating Dust (Particulate Matter) Emissions from Animal Agriculture
Air emissions from animal animal feedlots are sources of many different emissions including particulate matter (dust).
The materials on this page were developed to assist educators and professors who wish to include dust and particulate emissions and their control as a topic in their classrooms or educational programs.…
Ammonia Emissions from Animal Agriculture: An Introduction
Air emissions from animal agriculture operations consist of many different gases as well as suspended particulates (dust or microbes). One of these gases, ammonia, is gaining greater attention for its role in odor, but also as a precursor of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). PM 2.5 has implications in haze and visibility as well as human health.…
Mitigating Ammonia Emissions from Animal Agriculture
Air emissions from animal agriculture operations consist of many different gases as well as suspended particulates (dust or microbes). One of these gases, ammonia, is gaining greater attention for its role in odor, but also as a precursor of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). PM 2.5 has implications in haze and visibility as well as human health.…
Dust From Cattle Feedyards: A Case Study From Texas
When talking about air quality around animal agriculture, one of the most common neighbor complaints comes from dust (sometimes also called particulate matter). Dust is given off from cattle feedyards as animals move around on the pen surface. Although this dust usually settled out of the air relatively close to the feedlot, it can lead to nuisance issues with neighbors or nearby roadways.…
Airborne Emissions in Animal Agriculture
Air emissions from animal agriculture operations and manure storage include gases and particulate matter (dust). Some of these are potentially hazardous (hydrogen sulfide and ammonia). Others are scrutinized because they are greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) and others because they are odorous.…
Biofilters for Animal Agriculture Air Quality Curriculum Materials
Air emissions from animal agriculture operations and their associated manure storage are being examined more closely for ways to mitigate potentially harmful gases. One of the options being evaluated is biofilters. The materials on this page were developed to assist educators and professors who include biofilters as a topic in their classrooms or educational programs.…