Original scientific paper
EFFECT OF AIR TEMPERATURE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND AIR FLOW VELOCITY ON FUNGI COUNT AND AIRBORNE EMISSION FROM DAIRY BARNS TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Kristina Matković
; Department of animal hygiene, environment and ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb; Croatia
Marija Vučemilo
; Department of animal hygiene, environment and ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb; Croatia
Bara Vinković
; Department of Ecology, Croatian Veterinary Institute; Zagreb, Croatia
Ž. Pavičić
; Department of animal hygiene, environment and ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb; Croatia
Branka Šeol
; Department of microbiology and infectious diseases with clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb; Croatia
S. Matković
; Ministry of agriculture, fisheries and rural development, Vukovarska 78, Zagreb; Croatia
M. Benić
; Adria grupa-Adria servis, Heinzelova 53, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
An Merck MAS-100 air sampler was employed with respective nutrient agar for capture, incubation and counting of airborne fungi. Microclimate parameters were simultaneously determined by a Testo 400 device. Air sampling was done once a week in the morning, at noon at 12:00) and in the evening (at 19:00) during two autumn months. Within the barn, measurements were performed in the animal housing area along the feedlot, and outside the barn at a distance of 5 m, 25 m and 50 m eastward and westward from the barn. The mean values of total airborne fungi count in the barn air was 7.23x103 CFU/m3 in the morning, 2.84x104 CFU/m3 at noon, and 7.25x104 CFU/m3 in the evening. Fungi count showed a statistically significant decrease as close as 5 m from the barn (p<0.05). Study results suggested the keeping conditions, the construction and position of the barn and number of dairy cows to have no impact on fungi count and emission either within inside or outside the barn, thus exerting no adverse effects on animal health and production or environmental contamination.
Keywords
airborne contamination; airborne fungi; dairy barn; distance
Hrčak ID:
26704
URI
Publication date:
15.9.2008.
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