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Gases in agricultural slurry stores
1Health and Safety Executive, London, U.K.
The Annals of Occupational Hygiene
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Handling animal slurry can release dangerous hydrogen sulfide gas, posing an acute toxicity risk during mixing and emptying. Long-term exposure risks were minimal, but hydrogen sulfide poisoning is a greater concern than asphyxiation.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- Animal slurry management is common in agriculture.
- Handling slurry can lead to the release of hazardous gases.
- Worker safety during slurry operations requires careful consideration of gas evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gas evolution during animal slurry handling.
- To identify the primary gas hazards and assess exposure risks for personnel.
- To evaluate risks associated with mixing and emptying operations.
Main Methods:
- Field investigations were conducted at five different animal slurry handling sites.
- Gas concentrations, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, and carbon dioxide, were monitored.
- Oxygen levels were also measured to assess asphyxiation risks.
Main Results:
- High transient concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were identified as the main hazard.
- Hydrogen sulfide posed a significant acute toxicity risk in some instances.
- Ammonia, methane, and carbon dioxide evolution occurred at lower levels, with some oxygen reduction.
Conclusions:
- The primary risk during animal slurry handling is acute poisoning from hydrogen sulfide.
- Time-weighted average exposures generally did not indicate long-term health risks.
- The risk of hydrogen sulfide poisoning outweighs the risk of asphyxiation from oxygen reduction.