Microbial Air Contamination in Indoor and Outdoor Environment of Pig Farms

Authors

  • Silvana Popescu Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372, Manastur, 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Cristin Borda Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372, Manastur, 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Eva-Andrea Diugan Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372, Manastur, 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • Daniela Oros Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372, Manastur, 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Keywords:

bacteria, fungi, microbial air contamination, pig farms

Abstract

Ensuring a good air quality in pig farms is important for the health of animals and human workers. The aim of this study was the assessment of the microbiological quality of the air inside the pig houses and outside of these. The study was accomplished in two pig-fattening farms in Cluj County. The microbiological air quality was assessed in the cold and warm season, by determination of the total counts of mesophilic bacteria, staphylococci, streptococci, gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The bacterial and fungal counts varied in the air of the investigated farms. In relation to the season the mean counts of bacteria and fungi were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the cold season. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between the values of the parameters determined from the indoor air and those obtained outside, from a distance of 5 m from the pig houses. The numbers of the bacteria and fungi in the outdoor air lowered as the distance from the farms increased, the differences being significant at 25 and 50 m (P < 0.05). The results of the study show a high bacterial contamination of the indoor and outdoor air of the pig farms.

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Published

2023-09-05