engleski

The presence of airborne molds in pig nursery units

Air quality is identified as very important health factor in intensive pig production. Exposure to high levels of airborne fungi, their cell walls components ((1-3)-beta-D glucans), spores or mycotoxins can lead to malfunction of immune system and exacerbation of allergies, asthma and mycotoxicosis. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of airborne molds in three pig nursery units within one year. Furthermore, the intention was to elucidate possible correlation between molds and environmental parameters. The air was sampled using SAS-100TM. After the sampling, Petri dishes with Sabouraud-maltose agar were incubated at 22 º ; C within 5 days. The number of molds was expressed as CFU/m3. From the environmental parameters temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, ammonia and carbon dioxide in the units were measured. The number of airborne molds varied from minimum values of 1 CFU/m3 to maximum values of 9 x 103 CFU/m3 within a year. Average values of molds were the lowest in the summer (0.5 x 103 CFU/m3) and peaked in the fall (1.6 x 103 CFU/m3). There was no statistically significant differences in mold concentrations between seasons (p>0.05). Furthermore, from the environmental parameters only statistically significant positive correlation (p=0.037) between ammonia and mold count was observed. Most common isolated genera were: Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. The level of airborne molds during the whole year did not exceed values suggested as a health hazard for farm workers.

airborne molds; pig nursery; health hazard

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