Abstract
In the present investigation, different methods for the separation of airborne particles from various types of bedding material, roughage and compound feed for horses were investigated under standardised conditions. At first, the reduction in airborne particles as a consequence of the cleaning of common feed grains (oats and barley) as well as the quantification of airborne particle generation by the mechanical treatment (rolling) of such grains was analyzed. In addition, an investigation into the generation of airborne particles from different industrially produced compound feeds (pellets and muesli) was also undertaken under standardised laboratory conditions. The analysis of the separation rate of airborne particles as a consequence of cleaning oats and barley revealed a reduction in the PM20 and PM10 fractions by ca. 80%. The mechanical treatment (rolling) of oats and barley led to a renewed increase in the generation of airborne particles by up to 20% (PM20, PM10) in c! ontrast to the non-rolled grains. The analyses showed that the industrially produced compound feeds generated 65-80% fewer particles in the fractions PM20, PM10 and PM2.5 in comparison to uncleaned oats or barley. Comparing the four types of industrially produced compound feeds to each other, the two types of muesli generated up to 20% lower airborne particle concentrations (PM20 and PM10) than the two types of pellets. In a second experiment the reduction in airborne particle generation as a consequence of the application of three types of fluid (water, rapeseed oil, molasses) in different concentrations to whole and rolled oats was analyzed. By the addition of 1% oil, a reduction in the PM20 fraction of 90.6% could be achieved. The same dosage of water or molasses only resulted in a reduction of 60.4% or 69.1%, respectively. Overall, the highest significant reduction in the PM20 fraction was achieved using 3% rapeseed oil: 96.5% compared to 75.6% for 3% water and 81.9% fo! r 3% molasses. Furthermore, the separation rate of airborne pa! rticles and mould spores by the use of a new form of air-driven particle separation technology for the treatment of different bedding materials and roughage feedstuffs was analyzed. There was a reduction in the generation of airborne particles (PM20) in hay of 49.16 mg/m³ down to 22.79 mg/m³ (53.6%), haylage from 28.57 to 25.04 mg/m³ (12.3%), wood shavings from 141.68 to 15.04 mg/m³ (89.4%), wheat straw from 143.08 to 22.97 mg/m³ (83.9%), flax from 135.11 to 53.31 mg/m³ (60.5%) and hemp from 63.67 to 17.64 mg/m³ (72.3%). In conclusion, the results of this study show that all tested methods and procedures lead to a significant reduction in airborne particle generation.
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