Assessment of Hydrogen Sulfide and Ammonia Concentrations in Swine, Poultry, Cattle Farms

Abstract

Objective Livestock facilities have changed rapidly throughout history in order to pursue more favorable conditions for producing more animal products. An increased number of livestock have consequently resulted in an increased generation of animal feces. Both ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are major pollutant gases released from animal facilities and can cause chronic respiratory ocular irritation and even death at high concentrations, within a few minutes. The purposes of this study were to assess hydrogen sulfide and ammonia concentrations in swine, poultry and cattle farms and to determine the influential factors.

Methods This study was conducted in July and August 2012, as well as throughout June, July, August, September and October 2015. Samples were collected from four swine farms. Both NH3 and H2S gases were present at five poultry farms and five cattle farms. Sampling was measured using direct-reading instruments at animal housing and manure facilities. This study operated agitation to perform manure treatment processing in manure facilities. Samples were measured for between 20 minutes to over 60 minutes, at 5 seconds intervals.

Results Concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia were highest at the slurry storage, while hydrogen sulfide was either not detected at all or in very low concentrations at other facilities. In animal housing, ammonia was the highest at the swine farm and the poultry farm was the second highest. Concentrations of ammonia at dairy farms and in beef cattle showed similar results. Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia numbers at most of the facilities at farms were influenced by environmental factors. Swine and poultry housing showed a correlation with type of building and dairy cattle and beef cattle farms showed a correlation with the size of animal housing. All manure facilities showed a correlation with the area.

Conclusions The concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia varied greatly depending on farm condition and their changes were affected by environmental and other factors. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia concentrations should be controlled periodically and potential health problems should be considered in relation to individuals working on farms.