Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Evaluation of Short-Term Exposure Levels on Ammonia and Hydrogen Sulfide During Manure-Handling Processes at Livestock Farms

  • Park, Jihoon (Environmental Safety Group, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Forschungsgesellschaft mbH) ;
  • Kang, Taesun (Department of Health and Safety Engineering, Semyung University) ;
  • Heo, Yong (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Lee, Kiyoung (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Kyungran (National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration) ;
  • Lee, Kyungsuk (National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration) ;
  • Yoon, Chungsik (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2019.07.24
  • Accepted : 2019.12.23
  • Published : 2020.03.30
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Abstract

Background: Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are harmful gases generated during aerobic/anaerobic bacterial decomposition of livestock manure. We evaluated ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations generated from workplaces at livestock farms and determined environmental factors influencing the gas concentrations. Methods: Five commercial swine farms and five poultry farms were selected for monitoring. Real-time monitors were used to measure the ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations and environmental conditions during the manure-handling processes. Monitoring was conducted in the manure storage facility and composting facility. Information on the farm conditions was also collected through interview and walk-through survey. Results: The ammonia concentrations were significantly higher at the swine composting facilities (9.5-43.2 ppm) than at other manure-handling facilities at the swine and poultry farms, and high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were identified during the manure agitation and mixing process at the swine manure storage facilities (6.9-19.5 ppm). At the poultry manure-handling facilities, the ammonia concentration was higher during the manure-handling processes (2.6-57.9 ppm), and very low hydrogen sulfide concentrations (0-3.4 ppm) were detected. The air temperature and relative humidity, volume of the facility, duration of manure storage, and the number of animals influenced the gas concentrations. Conclusion: A high level of hazardous gases was generated during manure handling, and some levels increased up to risk levels that can threaten workers' health and safety. Some of the farm operational factors were also found to influence the gas levels. By controlling and improving these factors, it would be possible to protect workers' safety and health from occupational risks.

Keywords

References

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