Summary
This article is behind a paywall. It has been included in the database and summarized below solely based on the content of the abstract.
This review paper examines factors impacting ammonia (NH3) emissions within the poultry sector. The authors acknowledge that NH3 is of particular concern given its effects on air quality, the environment, and “manure nutrient losses.” The authors cite 25 ppm as the maximum concentration of NH3 permissible in poultry houses. Beyond this threshold, the authors note a number of detrimental effects for the animals, such as those related to their welfare (e.g., respiratory disorders, mortality, and increased susceptibility to disease) and those related “production value” (e.g., egg quality). Exposure to higher NH3 levels also puts farm workers’ health at risk for conditions such as blindness and lung disease. The authors list a number of factors that influence NH3 emissions and associated indoor air quality, such as the housing system itself, density of birds within the housing, and bedding materials. Based on an analysis of poultry house NH3 emission mitigation strategies, the authors found that filtration systems are the most efficient, followed by litter additives.
Abstract cannot be posted