[The dust and microbial content in a horse stable during the use of a dust-binding agent]

Dust in horse barns is assumed to contribute to pulmonary disease, it is attempted to reduce the airborne dust by soaking or sprinkling the hay before feeding. Both means cause considerable efforts and increase the relative humidity of the air. This is why a commercial dust-binding agent (Revesto pur) was used in a pilot investigation which was carried out during 2 weeks - one week for control and one week using the agent - in a private horse barn where three horses were regularly stable. The airborne dust was measured by a continuously working instrument. Once a day (7.00 a.m.) the number of airborne germs was estimated. The dust is reduced to 0.03 mg/m3 during the night, (8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.), as compared to the control (0.05 mg/m3). However, the total dust content during 24 h increases after spraying with the aid of the instruments supplied by the manufacturer to 0.12 mg/m3 (control 0.07 mg/m3). The airborne germs show a decreasing tendency after application of the agent. The use of the sprayers is very time-consuming, their use inside of the barn obviously increases the particles in the air. Thus, it seems advisable to spray outside of the stable. Further investigations are necessary in order to evaluate whether the reduction of the dust during night which was indicated in this study may have a positive clinical effect.