Emissions of aerial pollutants in livestock buildings in Northern Europe: Overview of a multinational project

The principal object of this project was to undertake a large survey of the emissions of aerial pollutants within and from livestock buildings in Northern Europe. Measurements of aerial pollutants were made using common methods which were developed in the first year of the project. This allowed reliable comparisons to be made between results from different countries, species and types of building. The survey covered pigs, cattle and poultry and the major housing types. A total of 329 livestock buildings were surveyed. All the results are described in the accompanying papers in this issue. High concentrations of ammonia, airborne dust, endotoxin and microorganisms were measured in poultry and some pig houses: air quality was acceptable in cattle houses in terms of animal health. These burdens of aerial pollutants cause some concern because of their potentially harmful effects on human and animal health. Atmospheric ammonia is an important pollutant of the atmosphere and its rates of emission per animal housed were highest from cattle buildings. Measures based on husbandry and engineering techniques should be taken to reduce these emissions. (C) 1998 Silsoe Research Institute.