Characteristics of Air Contaminants in Naturally and Mechanically Ventilated Poultry Houses in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A field study was conducted under the climatic conditions of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, to characterize air contaminants in naturally and mechanically ventilated poultry houses and to determine the effect of ventilation system on air contaminants within both types of houses. The concentration and particle size distribution of airborne particles and gases were measured and analyzed. In the naturally ventilated (NV) poultry house, the mean total suspended particle concentration (TSP) was 12.47 mg m-3, the PM10 concentration (particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 10 m) was 4.81 mg m-3, and the PM2.5 concentration (particulate matter with a diameter less than or equal to 2.5 m) was 0.18 mg m-3. In the mechanically ventilated (MV) poultry house, the mean TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 concentrations were 4.61, 2.26, and 0.09 mg m-3, respectively. The TSP values were greater than the suggested threshold values for indoor air contaminants in livestock buildings. The geometric mean diameter (GMD), based on the mass concentration of particles in the natural and mechanical ventilation systems, was 8.63 and 8.38 m, respectively. The concentrations of NH3, CO2, SO2, NO2, and H2S were measured, and the results indicated that ammonia was the dominant gas in both houses. Moreover, the majority of gases did not exceed the threshold values. In the MV poultry house, the concentration of airborne particles and toxic gases was strongly affected by the building ventilation rate.