[Emissions of airborne substances from stalls of domestic animals]

There is concern on recent reports indicating an increase of respiratory affections in humans in areas with high livestock production. A survey is presented on airborne emissions from livestock buildings. About 136 gaseous compounds are analysed in animal house air of which 22 are quantified, only. The most environment-related compounds are ammonia and methane. It is assumed that German animal husbandry emits more than 350,000 t ammonia per year. The content of airborne microorganisms in livestock buildings is between some 100 and several 1000 per liter. The greatest part, more than 80%, are Staphylococcae and Streptococcae. Fungi, moulds and yeasts can form more than 1%, and coli-like bacteria about 0.5% of the total amount. Moulds like Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Alternaria were identified which are known to have allergic properties. The average concentrations of dust in animal barns vary between 0.5 and 20 mg/m3. The dust contains high amounts of protein and carries endotoxins which both have an allergic potential. Preliminary results show that the germ content of the surrounding air in areas with high animal densities seems to be distinctly higher than in non-livestock regions.