Abstract
Zoos are very popular facilities visited by entire families with children, who come there to watch live animals. Zoos also provide workplaces for a large number of people directly looking after the animals. For places designed to house animals, regardless of whether they are farm animals, pets, or zoo animals, a higher concentration of both dust and potentially harmful bioaerosols can be expected. Unfortunately, there are almost no studies concerning the concentration of bacterial bioaerosols and particulate matter in animal shelters that would answer the question whether the level of these pollutants is constant or variable and dependent on a particular zoo, group of animals, their number in enclosures, or season. This study aimed to assess the levels of bacterial aerosol in rooms intended for animals (giraffes, camels, elephants, kangaroos, and colobinae) in the Silesian Zoological Garden in Chorzów (Poland). The bioaerosol samples were collected using a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor to assess the concentrations and size distribution of airborne bacteria. Particulate matter (PM10) was assessed using an electronic dust meter. Measurements of microclimate parameters were carried out using the Airflow™ Instruments Velocity Meter TA440, while gas concentrations were determined applying GFG Microtector II G450. The results showed that the concentration of airborne bacteria varied significantly between facilities for the analyzed animal groups. The lowest concentration of the total bacterial aerosol was observed in enclosures for colobinae (approx. 850 CFU/m3), while the highest—in rooms for elephants (approx. 105,600 CFU/m3). The average share of respirable fraction of bacteria was quite high, with values ranging from 62.9 (colobinae) to 86.9% (elephants), indicating potential harmfulness to the health of exposed people. PM10 concentrations were relatively low (10–86 μg/m3) and did not exceed the limit values for occupational exposure. Moreover, the levels of bacterial bioaerosol in almost all cases did not exceed the limit values. As the animals constitute a significant source of bioaerosol, attention should be paid to thorough cleaning of animals and their shelters, as well as maintaining appropriate levels of microclimate parameters in the facilities.
Highlights
Zoological gardens create opportunity for saving animal species threatened with extinction, what helps to preserveResponsible Editor: Diane PurchaseEnsuring animal welfare requires providing animals with housing that is necessary either only during cold seasons or throughout the entire year, depending on animal species
5 times lower concentrations were found in the control area (TC: 416 ± 255 colony-forming units per m3 of air (CFU/m3); respirable fraction (RF): 276 ± 236 CFU/ m3)
The highest bacterial aerosol concentrations were found in the enclosures for elephants (TC: 31,617 ± 49,427 CFU/m3, RF: 27,476 ± 43,529 CFU/m3)
Summary
Zoological gardens create opportunity for saving animal species threatened with extinction, what helps to preserveResponsible Editor: Diane PurchaseEnsuring animal welfare requires providing animals with housing that is necessary either only during cold seasons or throughout the entire year, depending on animal species. Directive 1999/22/EC requires zoos to guarantee animal welfare, what is a fundamental prerequisite for their operation. It involves providing the so-called Five Freedoms, i.e., animal freedom from pain, injuries and illness, hunger and thirst, fear and stress, and discomfort and unnatural behavior caused by lack of space (Webster 1994). Ensuring proper conditions in zoological gardens is required by legal regulations included in the Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 2004 (Journal of Laws 2004). Creating proper hygienic conditions is associated with meeting animal welfare assumptions. The animals themselves constitute a basic source of microorganisms in the rooms where they stay. The activity of animals creates favorable conditions for generating organic dust particles. The concentrations of airborne bacteria in rooms intended to house animals are usually much higher than in human dwellings
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