Control of chemical and biological contaminants of the air in a pig housing facility using the biocontrolled litter technique Abstract Several scientific studies demonstrate that workers in the swine production industry suffer from various respiratory problems. Ventilation can be used to reduce the exposure to the contaminants present in pig housing facilities, but studies have shown that, despite the use of efficient systems that significantly reduce chemical and biological contaminants, the concentrations of some types of bacteria still remain clearly above the recommended levels.Production on biocontrolled litter seems to be a promising avenue. A mixture is used that consists of solid droppings, wood shavings or straw and an enzyme capable of catalyzing the activity of the bacteria present in the manure; this enzyme dries the litter almost instantaneously, thus eliminating the leachate water and odours. Used for several years now in Europe, this type of production was the subject of a joint study of the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec, the Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec, the BPR consulting engineering firm, and the Fédération des producteurs de porc du Québec. Its aim was to evaluate the healthiness of this environment for workers.The study shows that this type of production effectively reduces, to acceptable levels, the concentrations of contaminants usually found in pig housing facilities, such as Gram negative bacteria and gases. However, this new type of production presents the ideal conditions for ensuring the development of thermoactinomycetes and the mold Aspergillus fumigatus. Produced Under this Project Scientific Reports Measurement of chemical and biological air contaminants in a hog house using the biocontrolled bedding technique Research Report: R-087 Scientific Publications Qualité de l'air intérieur dans les bâtiments agricolesGingras G., Lavoie J.Source : in Colloque qualité de l'air dans les environnements intérieurs - Technical University of Nova Scotia, Université McGill (1994 : Montréal, Canada), 1994, p. 1-17Litières biomaîtrisées : des résultats d'essaisDrolet J.-Y., Lavoie J., Gingras G.Source : Revue Porc Québec, septembre 1994, p. 35-40Biological and chemical contamination of the air in a grower-finisher pig building using deep-litter systemsLavoie J., Marchand G., Drolet J.-Y., Caouette P., Gingras G.Source : Canadian Agricultural Engineering, vol. 37, no 3, septembre 1995, p. 195-203Pit ventilation in pig-housing facilitiesLavoie J., Marchand G., Gingras G.Source : Canadian Agricultural Engineering, vol. 39, no 4, 1997, p. 317-326Évaluation des agents chimiques et des bioaérosols dans une porcherie utilisant la technique d'élevage sur litière minceLavoie J., Pigeon S.Source : Travail et santé, vol. 17, no 2, 2001, p. S15-S18Thin Litter Technique, a Solution for Workers Health?Fortin N., Lavoie J.Source : Western Hog Journal, summer 2001, p. 22-25Contrôle des contaminants chimiques et biologiques dans l'air d'une porcherie utilisant la technique de litière biomaîtriséeLavoie J., Marchand G., Beaudet Y., Roberge B., Fournier O.Source : in Les réalisations du milieu, une récolte abondante à partager : Actes du 17e congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle au Québec / AHIQ (17e : 3-5 mai, 1995 : Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada), 1995, p. 88-102La problématique de la qualité de l’air dans les porcheriesMarchand G., Lavoie J.Source : in Congrès ABQ-AMQ, (octobre 1997 : Montréal, Canada), 1997Air Quality in a Farm with pigs on Deep LitterLavoie J., Roberge B., Beaudet Y., Marchand G., Drolet J. Y., Caouette P., Gingras G., Jobin C.Source : in American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (May 21-27, 1994 : Anaheim, California), 1994 Additional Information Type: Project Number: 0093-1150 Status: Completed Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention Team: Jacques Lavoie (IRSST)