Abstract
To examine the effects of installing a mechanical ventilation system at a riding-school stable on indoor air quality and human and horse airways. The intervention was the installation of mechanical ventilation in a riding-school stable. Carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia, particles, horse allergen, microorganisms and endotoxins were measured in the stable. The stable-workers and riding-students completed a questionnaire and underwent the following tests: analysis of nasal lavage for inflammation biomarkers; levels of exhaled nitrogen oxide (NO); measurements of daily peak-expiratory flow (PEF). The horses were examined clinically by airway endoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and were analysed for cytology and biomarkers. Levels of CO2 were nearly halved and airborne horse allergen levels were markedly reduced (5-0.8 kU/m3) after the intervention. A decreased level of ultrafine particles was observed (8000-5400 particles/cm3) after the intervention, while total and respirable dust levels were mainly unchanged (200 and 130 μg/m3). Levels of microorganisms in surface samples decreased following the intervention, whereas airborne microorganisms and endotoxin increased. There was no significant change in human symptoms, PEF-variability, exhaled NO or inflammatory biomarkers in the nasal lavage. In horses, the mean score of lower airway mucus was significantly reduced together with the mean level of expression of interleukin-6 mRNA in BAL cells after the intervention. The installation of a mechanical ventilation system resulted in an increased air exchange rate, as demonstrated by reduced levels of CO2, ammonia, ultrafine particles and horse allergen. There was no significant clinical effect on human airways, but there was a tendency for reduced inflammation markers. The results on the horses may indicate less impact on their airways after the intervention.
Highlights
In intensive agricultural practices involving cows, pigs and poultry there is considerable evidence that farmers and farm workers, who spend large parts of their days in the barn environment, are at increased risk of developing respiratory diseases [1,2,3,4]
The installation of a mechanical ventilation system resulted in an increased air exchange rate, as demonstrated by reduced levels of CO2, ammonia, ultrafine particles and horse allergen
There was no significant clinical effect on human airways, but there was a tendency for reduced inflammation markers
Summary
In intensive agricultural practices involving cows, pigs and poultry there is considerable evidence that farmers and farm workers, who spend large parts of their days in the barn environment, are at increased risk of developing respiratory diseases [1,2,3,4]. It is well known that exposure to the organic dusts, microorganisms and endotoxins present in different farm animal stabling systems can cause chronic pulmonary diseases in humans [7,8,9]. Many people spend a considerable amount of time each day in equine stable environments, either as employees involved in the care and training of horses or as a leisure activity (for example, 6% of the Swedish population)
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