Dust Control During Bedding Chopping

Abstract

Environmental measurements were made to assess the effectiveness of a dust control technique used during the mechanical chopping of hay and straw in dairy barns. The method involved simply the addition of portions of water directly to the bales prior to chopping. Measurements were made with and without this technique at eight dairy barns in central New York. Airborne dust was measured using gravimetric, photometric, and microscopic techniques. Additionally, various components of the dust (endotoxin, histamine, bacteria, and fungi) were quantified. Significant reduction in dust and specific dust components (typically about a five-fold decrease) was achieved with this treatment. Although there was not a statistical association between carbon monoxide levels and treatment, there were occasional high peak exposures (>200 ppm) recorded during both dry and wet trials. Emphasis is given to the microscopic features of the aerosol generated during bedding chopping and also to the interpretation of the photometric measurements.