Dust in Pig Buildings. Soren Pedersen,* Matthew Nonnenmann,** Risto Rautiainen,** Theo G. M. Demmers,# T. Banhazi,## and Merete Lyngbye§
It is well documented in the international scientific literature that airborne dust in pig houses can cause serious health problems for humans as well as for animals. Extensive research has been carried out in different countries during the last few decades to improve the scientific understanding of air quality issues related to intensive animal production. Research and review papers were presented at the international symposium on Dust Control in Animal Production Facilities, held in Denmark in 1999. Different techniques have been used in order to reduce dust burdens in pig confinement buildings, but up to date only the procedure of spraying oil or a mixture of oil and water has contributed to reducing the indoor dust concentrations significantly. This article summarizes the current level of understanding of dust issues in intensive animal production buildings, mainly on the basis of papers presented at the abovementioned symposium.
*Research Centre Bygholm, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 536, DK-8700 Horsens, Denmark, telephone 45.7629.6024, fax 45.7629.6100, e-mail soeren.pedersen@agrsci.dk.
**University of Iowa, Institute for Rural and Environment Health, Iowa City, Iowa.
#Silsoe Research Institute, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford, U.K.
##South Australian Research and Development Institute, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia.
§The National Committee for Pig Production, Danish Bacon & Meat Council, Copenhagen.
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