Agricultural Respiratory Hazards Education Series – Unit 1

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Unit 2 in the series examining the potential agricultural structures and repiratory hazards that can develop in the agricultural workplace.

Assessment of dust and endotoxin levels in the working environment of Dutch pig farmers: a preliminary study

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Agricultural Respiratory Hazards Series

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A series of nine booklets outlining the hazards related to farming, where these hazards occur, the possible effects related to these hazards, and how to control for these hazards. The series consists of:

Unit 1: Agricultural Structures and Respiratory Problems
Unit 2: Dust from Decayed Grain, Hay and Silage
Unit 3: Grain Dusts
Unit 4: Livestock Confinement Dusts and Gases
Unit 5: Oxides of Nitrogen (Silo Gas)
Unit 6: Applied Agricultural Chemicals
Unit 7: Infectious Diseases
Unit 8: Measurement of Agricultural Dusts and Gases
Unit 9: Personal Protective Equipment

Hazardous agents in agricultural dusts and methods of evaluation

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Agricultural Respiratory Hazards Education Series – Unit 2 Dusts from Decayed Hay, Grain and Silage

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Decayed Grain, Hay and Silage Dusts on the farm. Exposed to these dusts, and when? How common are these dusts and related resiratory diseases? Respiratory problems from Decayed Grain, Hay and Silage Dusts. How can these potential respiratory problems be diagnosed? What treatments are available. How can be prevent potential respiratory related problems?

Olfaktometrie Geruchsschwellenbestimmung – Olfactometry Odour Threshold Determination – Fundamentals

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Olfactometry is a method of determination of odorants concentration by presentation of odorants to humans and registration of the resulting sensations; the human sense of smell being used as a detector. This method allow determination of the human smell power for known odorant concentrations and also the determination of unknown odorant concentrations by mean of human smell sense. Guidelines are given for the determination of odour threshold and the derived quantity of odorant concentration. The anatomical/physiological and psycho-physiological fundamentals of the odour phenomenon are presented. The terms used in olfactometry and their definitions are given. The measuring procedures are explained in a general matter covering the instruments, the sampling, the presentation of concentrations, the questioning technique, the panel, and the boundary conditions. The equations for the calculation of odorant concentration are given.

This publication gives a very good definition of the olfactometry and the procedures to realize odour threshold determination. However, the information presented is general and has to be considered as guidelines, not enough details are given to realize standard tests.

Olfaktometrie Geruchsschwellenbestimmung – Olfactometry Odour Threshold Determination – Olfactometers with gas jet dilution

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Guidelines are given for the use of olfactometers for dynamic dilution . The olfactometer uses a gas jet pump which thoroughly mixes the metered odorous flow and the constant neutral air flow. The mix is presented as concentration step for odour to panelist through a nose mask for evaluation. The threshold evaluation requires yes/no decision confirming the detection of odours. Two instruments are presented (Olfactometers Model 1158 and TO 4) with their apparatus diagram representing the components and the air and odour flows. For the first model 1158, an operator does all the procedures so the panelists only have to test the mixed samples. For the TO 4 which is a portable measuring device, the panelist is also the operator. Panelists selection has to be done in order to make sure that the persons’ sense of smell is normal and that they can follow the operator’s instructions. External disturbance should be avoided when the panelists are making the measurements as odours, noise, vibrations can affect the concentration and the odour sensation. Also verifications should be made to assure that the air mix reaching the nose mask does not contain toxic gases. The dilution system should be calibrated prior to the first use and at least annually using suitable test gases (propane or n-butane in test gas bottles) and gas analyzers. Measuring procedures are also provided. The instruments presented can be used in odour intensity determination and to determine the hedonic tone of an odour. A minimum dilution concentration has to be considered for each instrument considering their technical limits. For the instruments presented, determination of odorant concentration below 15 OU/m3 should not be allowed.

Detailed information is given for the dynamic dilution tests. However, this information is not precise enough regarding the apparatus and technical specifications. References to VDI 3881 Part 1 and 2.

Nitrogen Losses from Swine Housings

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Agricultural Respiratory Hazards – Unit 6 Applied Agricultural Chemicals

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Because pesticides are designed to kill living organisms, they are potentially harmful to people. Through carelessness, delibrate misue and accidents, people exposed to pesticides and their residues may be seriously harmed and even killed. To protect human health, people working with agricultural chemicals must be throughly familiar with their safe use. This unit will discuss aspects of safe pesticide usage that apply to all pesticides. Then, pesticides whose major effects on the respiratory system will be discussed in detail.

Good Energy Management in Farm Livestock Buildings

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This publication is intended to point out inefficient energy uses and, it is hoped, to provide techniques or suggestions to reduce consumption by making more efficient use of conventional energy (electricity, oil, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), or natural gas). This could include improving system designs and/or management; changing systems; or reusing energy that has been dumped, a common practice when energy was inexpensive. This book also contains trouble-shooting tables that link all aspects of swine housing together in an easy to read format.
This publication is a comprehensive look at energy usage and efficiency on farms. Each section or chapter uses simple practical examples to drive the message home.