Comparison of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Air Sample Concentrations at Task-Locations within Swine Confinement Buildings.

Introduction: A task-associated analysis of ammonia and particulate matter concentrations was conducted on swine farms in breeding and gestation barns. The purpose of this study was to determine if specific tasks performed by workers increase concentrations of ammonia and particulate matter exposure...

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Main Author: Bembry, Earl Dan
Format: Others
Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1880
https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3232&context=etd
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spelling ndltd-ETSU-oai-dc.etsu.edu-etd-32322019-05-16T04:45:28Z Comparison of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Air Sample Concentrations at Task-Locations within Swine Confinement Buildings. Bembry, Earl Dan Introduction: A task-associated analysis of ammonia and particulate matter concentrations was conducted on swine farms in breeding and gestation barns. The purpose of this study was to determine if specific tasks performed by workers increase concentrations of ammonia and particulate matter exposure. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive design was used to determine if swine confinement workers have increased ammonia and particulate matter exposure when performing assigned tasks in breeding and gestation barns. A convenience sample of 8 workers volunteered from among all breeding and gestation workers (n=24). Data collection occurred in the morning at each of the 8 farms and continued until tasks were completed (~4 hrs). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was computed to determine if the type of task or type of barn was related to workers' exposure to ammonia or particulate matter. Results: Ammonia levels were below the sensitivity of the instrument (<0.1) except on 1 morning when the ammonia concentration was recorded at 8 ppm. However, concentrations above 0.1 ppm lasted for less than 5 minutes. Consequently, this variable was not included in the analysis. Correlation analysis was used to answer the 1st research question. The results suggested a statistically significant decrease in particulate matter as the number of operating fans increased. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to answer the last 2 research questions. The results suggested a significant interactive effect between the type of confinement barn and the type of tasks workers were performing. The barn types differed by the number of exhaust fans and the type of animal waste disposal system. Conclusions: Occupational health nurses can use study results to implement interventions to minimize worker exposures. These results indicate that understanding the relationship between building design and type of work tasks along with the importance of proper ventilation may minimize worker exposure to harmful particulate matter in SCBs during the summer months. 2009-12-19T08:00:00Z text application/pdf https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1880 https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3232&amp;context=etd Copyright by the authors. Electronic Theses and Dissertations Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Swine confinement Agriculture Occupational Health Nurse Medicine and Health Sciences Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Public Health
collection NDLTD
format Others
sources NDLTD
topic Swine confinement
Agriculture
Occupational Health Nurse
Medicine and Health Sciences
Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene
Public Health
spellingShingle Swine confinement
Agriculture
Occupational Health Nurse
Medicine and Health Sciences
Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene
Public Health
Bembry, Earl Dan
Comparison of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Air Sample Concentrations at Task-Locations within Swine Confinement Buildings.
description Introduction: A task-associated analysis of ammonia and particulate matter concentrations was conducted on swine farms in breeding and gestation barns. The purpose of this study was to determine if specific tasks performed by workers increase concentrations of ammonia and particulate matter exposure. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive design was used to determine if swine confinement workers have increased ammonia and particulate matter exposure when performing assigned tasks in breeding and gestation barns. A convenience sample of 8 workers volunteered from among all breeding and gestation workers (n=24). Data collection occurred in the morning at each of the 8 farms and continued until tasks were completed (~4 hrs). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was computed to determine if the type of task or type of barn was related to workers' exposure to ammonia or particulate matter. Results: Ammonia levels were below the sensitivity of the instrument (<0.1) except on 1 morning when the ammonia concentration was recorded at 8 ppm. However, concentrations above 0.1 ppm lasted for less than 5 minutes. Consequently, this variable was not included in the analysis. Correlation analysis was used to answer the 1st research question. The results suggested a statistically significant decrease in particulate matter as the number of operating fans increased. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to answer the last 2 research questions. The results suggested a significant interactive effect between the type of confinement barn and the type of tasks workers were performing. The barn types differed by the number of exhaust fans and the type of animal waste disposal system. Conclusions: Occupational health nurses can use study results to implement interventions to minimize worker exposures. These results indicate that understanding the relationship between building design and type of work tasks along with the importance of proper ventilation may minimize worker exposure to harmful particulate matter in SCBs during the summer months.
author Bembry, Earl Dan
author_facet Bembry, Earl Dan
author_sort Bembry, Earl Dan
title Comparison of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Air Sample Concentrations at Task-Locations within Swine Confinement Buildings.
title_short Comparison of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Air Sample Concentrations at Task-Locations within Swine Confinement Buildings.
title_full Comparison of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Air Sample Concentrations at Task-Locations within Swine Confinement Buildings.
title_fullStr Comparison of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Air Sample Concentrations at Task-Locations within Swine Confinement Buildings.
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Air Sample Concentrations at Task-Locations within Swine Confinement Buildings.
title_sort comparison of ammonia and particulate matter air sample concentrations at task-locations within swine confinement buildings.
publisher Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University
publishDate 2009
url https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1880
https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3232&amp;context=etd
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