Monitoring total endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan at the air exhaust of concentrated animal feeding operations

Abstract

Mitigation of bioaerosol emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) demands knowledge of bioaerosol concentrations feeding into an end-of-pipe air treatment process. The aim of this preliminary study was to measure total endotoxin and (1!3)-b-glucan concentrations at the air exhaust of 18 commercial CAFOs and to examine their variability with animal operation type (swine farrowing, swine gestation, swine weaning, swine finishing, manure belt laying hen, and tom turkey) and season (cold, mild, and hot). The measured airborne concentrations of total endotoxin ranged from 98 to 23,157 endotoxin units (EU)/m 3 , and the airborne concentrations of total (1!3)-b-D-glucan ranged from 2.4 to 537.9 ng/m 3 . Animal operation type in this study had a significant effect on airborne concentrations of total endotoxin and (1!3)-b-D-glucan but no significant effect on their concentrations in total suspended particulate (TSP). Both endotoxin and (1!3)-b-D-glucan attained their highest airborne concentrations in visited tom turkey buildings. Comparatively, season had no significant effect on airborne concentrations of total endotoxin or (1!3)-b-D-glucan. Endotoxin and (1!3)-b-glucan concentrations in TSP dust appeared to increase as the weather became warmer, and this seasonal effect was significant in swine buildings. Elevated indoor temperatures in the hot season were considered to facilitate the growth and propagation of bacteria and fungi, thus leading to higher biocomponent concentrations in TSP.Implications: This study monitored total endotoxin and (1!3)-b-D-glucan concentrations at the air exhaust of 18 commercial animal buildings during multiple seasons. The airborne concentrations of total endotoxin and (1!3)-b-D-glucan differed significantly with animal operation type but showed no significant effect by season. Given that animal buildings in general have the highest ventilation rates in summer, these findings suggest that endotoxin and (1!3)-b-D-glucan may attain their maximum emission rates in summer. It is therefore recommended that particular attention should be paid to further investigating summertime bioaerosol emissions from animal feeding operations and the emissions' impact on neighboring communities.

Airborne bioaerosols and their impact on human health

“…Airborne concentrations of (1,3)-β-D-glucan, measured from six sites (office, hospital, student dormitory, subway station, and a commercial street) in Beijing, China, were found to range from 0.02 to 1.2 ng/m 3 (Dong and Yao, 2010). In another study conducted in 18 commercial concentrated animal feeding operations in Illinois, USA, the airborne concentration of (1,3)-β-D-glucan ranged from 2.4 to 538 ng/m 3 (Yang et al, 2013). β glucans have been used to boost the immune system and also to treat high cholesterol, diabetes, and cancer (Holst et al, 2015).…”

Concentration, size, and density of total suspended particulates at the air exhaust of concentrated animal feeding operations

“…The rest of filters were submitted for other analyses such as bacterial community composition, antibiotic resistance genes, endotoxin, (1,3)-β-d-glucan, and odorants (Hong et al, 2012;Yang et al, 2013Yang et al, , 2014. The selected filters were extracted by sonication for 20 min with 20 mL of 0.1% (wt/wt) sodium hexametaphosphate (NaPMP) aqueous solution at room temperature.…”

“…This intensive animal production results in usually poor indoor air quality and the release of aerial pollutants, including NH 3 , H 2 S, and particulate matter (PM), into the ambient air Clantonet al, 1999;Bottcher et al, 2004). PM released from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) may act as a carrier of odorants (Lee and Zhang, 2008;Yang et al, 2014), toxins (e.g., mycotoxin and endotoxin) (Douwes et al, 2003;Yang et al, 2013), allergens, and microorganisms (e.g., bacteria and fungi) (Hong et al, 2012), raising health risks for neighboring residents. PM from CAFOs could also adversely affect the environment, e.g., causing haze (visibility degradation) in rural regions (Hiranuma et al, 2008).…”

Characterization of Ambient PM10 Bioaerosols in a California Agricultural Town

“…High endotoxin levels have been measured near animal houses and other agricultural activities (Smid et al, 1992;Reynolds et al, 2002;Ko et al, 2010;Yang et al, 2013). Endotoxins are often associated with agricultural and house dusts, and they persist for long periods because the bacteria are no longer viable (Pearson et al, 1985;Maus et al, 2001).…”