Dust• A major component of particulate matter that is

greater than 2.5 um, but less than 10 um in diameter– PM10

• Major PM10 sources– Dust

• Livestock operations• Construction• Roads• Agricultural fields• Deserts

– Soot

• EPA limit for PM10– 24 average – 150 ug/m3

– Annual average – 50 ug/m3

• Effects of PM10

– Human health• Settles in upper airways• Aggravates respiratory diseases

– Carries odors• Extends distance of odor plume

– Reduces visibility• Clean air act states that it will provide protection for the

visibility of natural parks and wilderness areas• Extent of the problem Natural visibility Average visibility miles Eastern U.S. 90 12-25 Western U.S. 140 35-90• Dust contributes 5 – 20% of the reduction of visibility in the

U.S.

• Sources of dust from livestock– Feeds

• Wastes in buildings• Damage during delivery• Processing

– Dry manure– Animal skin– Feathers– Bedding– Bacteria– Molds

• Factors contributing for livestock dust– Building type

• Solid floor > slats– Animal activity– Temperature– Humidity– Ventilation– Stocking density

• Lower density > high density– Feeding method

• Results of these factors causes evening dust peak around outdoor cattle lots– Reasons

• Afternoon heat and wind dries manure• Cattle become active in the evening

– Moving to the feed bunk or waters or interacting socially• Atmosphere becomes more stable in evening so suspended

dust particles hang in air

• Dust control– For swine and poultry in confinement buildings

• Feeding system– Feed pelleted feeds

» May be improved by adding fat during cooling– Deliver feeds to feeders with drop tubes– Use liquid feeding systems

» For swine• Improve skin health

– Improve dietary fat quality– Supplement with zinc to requirement

• Management– Frequent cleaning

» Include ventilation fans and motors, louvers and shrouds» If animals are kept year-round, zone clean part of barn

– Spray vegetable oil» Do not mist» Reduces respirable dust by 81%

– Use wet scrubbers– Use Biofilters– Use Biomass filters– Use windbreak walls– Use vegetative shelter belts

– For cattle in an earthen lot• Feeding system

– Add up to 5% fat to the diet– Feed for the last time early in the afternoon

» Minimizes late afternoon activity– Frequent cleaning

» Also applies to concrete lots– Set manure scraping equipment to leave 1 to 2 inches of

compacted manure on top of the soil» Prevent leaching of nutrients into ground water

– Increase stocking rate during hot dry weather» Increased urine reduces dust

– Sprinkle water over lot» Most effective in late afternoon when cattle are active» Need capacity for .25 inches/day» Sprinklers should have at least 50% overlap, but not

run onto feed apron» Excessive moisture may increase odor

– Topical application of crop residues on lot surface