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Monitoring of Fine Particulates Downwind of Broiler Houses – A Field Study

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2012 Dallas, Texas, July 29 - August 1, 2012  121337541.(doi:10.13031/2013.41805)
Authors:   John W Worley, Michael Czarick, Brian D Fairchild, Casey W Ritz, Luke P Naeher
Keywords:   Emissions, particulate matter, broilers, poultry

Air emissions from animal feeding operations have become a growing concern for producers and their neighbors. Much work has been done to quantify emission rates; however, little information has been provided about air quality downwind from these facilities. This study investigates PM2.5 (particulate matter = 2.5 m in diameter) levels as they dissipate from the exhaust fans of selected commercial, tunnel-ventilated, broiler houses in Northeast Georgia. PM2.5 was measured in real time using aerosol monitors and from a time-integrated basis using cyclone samplers. Data were taken over a 4-week period and filtered for wind direction and internal instrument calibration checks. Results indicate a rapid dissipation of fine particulates as the distance from the source increases. When compared to nearby monitoring data, particulate levels appear to be near background levels at distances greater than 30 m.

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