Field Evaluation of an Electrostatic Air Filtration System for Reducing Incoming Particulate Matter of a Hen House

Abstract

Abstract. As a result of the unprecedented highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in the U.S. in 2014-2015, some egg producers in the U.S. started using inlet air filtration to reduce the risk of disease transmission by air into hen houses. The removal efficiency of particulate matter (PM), the carrier of airborne pathogens, by such filtration systems has not been investigated. Therefore, this field study was conducted to evaluate the PM removal efficacy of an electrostatic air filtration system (consisting of a low-grade air filter and an electrostatic particle ionization, or EPI, system) installed at the inlet of a commercial high-rise hen house. The evaluation was performed in two test rounds over a one-year period. Results showed that average PM removal efficiencies in round 1 (spring to summer) and round 2 (late fall to spring) were respectively 66% and 29% for PM1, 66% and 30% for PM2.5, 66% and 31% for PM4, 68% and 36% for PM10, and 68% and 45% for total PM. Removal efficiency became unstable when the EPI system was inactive (i.e., when solely relying on the filter for PM removal). House static pressure and ventilation rate indicated considerable clogging of the filter media by dust accumulation and the need for replacement after ~16 weeks of use in the spring-to-summer sampling period (round 1); however, clogging was not an issue during the entire late fall-to-spring sampling period (24 weeks, round 2). The appearance of the filter changed gradually as dust accumulated with time, which can be captured by image analysis and used to judge filter dirtiness and lifespan. The findings of this field study provide insight into the efficacy of PM removal by such a low-cost air filtration system, which will help egg producers in their decision-making for disease prevention strategies. Keywords: Electrostatic particle ionization, Filtration, Hen house, Particulate matter, Reduction.

Airborne transmission may have played a role in the spread of 2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in the United States

“…No farm would fall in medium or high infection risk even for the worst-case scenario (Fig. 8) if depopulation was performed at the infected farms within 24 h. Filtering the incoming air at typical PM reduction efficiency of 75% 33 would have reduced the risk as well (Fig. 8).…”

“…Besides the governmental guidelines for controlling airborne transmission, some egg producers installed or plan to install air filtration systems to reduce the virus particles in the incoming air to prevent AI infection. Our group has been investigating the removal efficiency of an air filtration system with a commercial laying-hen house, and our results to date indicate a reduction rate of up to 75% in incoming particles (depending on the season) 33 . A 75% removal efficiency would help to reduce the infection risk, but 7 cases (9%) are still in medium risk (Fig.…”

Modern cities modelled as “super‐cells” rather than multicellular organisms: Implications for industry, goods and services

“…For example, air filters installed on the walls of livestock farms can prevent virus entry. [47] Of course, closed ecosystems may also bring risks, such as facilitating disease spread and concentrating soil pollution from fertilizer and pesticide use. [48] Moreover, further development of membrane structures by learning from organelle membranes that have complex structures and important functions [49][50][51] could also be envisaged.…”

Impacts of Coronavirus on Farm and Pet Animals

“…There have been only two reported cases of animals (i.e., mink) passing the virus SARS-CoV-2 to people, which is proved after genomic analysis from mink and people [32]. between animal houses on the same farm [47,48]. Those conventional and innovated biosecurity measures may be considered by producers if there are any outbreak of COVID-19 in farm animals.…”