Dl4-Lancaster Farming Saturday, December 8,1990
David Kradel Herbert Jordan Milton Madison
Penn State
Poultry
Pointers
Herbert Siegel Donald Singleta:
RESPIRABLE
DUST PROTECTION
IN POULTRY
HOUSING
Dennis J. Murphy
Professor of
Agricultural Engineering
A recent article in this column
(PoulUy Pointers, July 28, 1990)
described research that measured
high concentrations of respirable
dust in poultry houses.
Respirable dust was identified
as those dust particles with a
diameter of five microns or less.
Dust particles below this size may
be breathed deeply into the lungs.
There are many sources of
respirable dust in poultry houses,
including feed grains, dry fecal
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matter, animal dander, bits of
feathers, bacteria, bacterial endo
toxins, insect parts, and fungal
spores.
Breathing in this type of dust in
large quantities over a long period
of time may lead to respiratory
problems that include acute and
chronic bronchitis, increased air
ways reactivity, occupational asth
ma, and toxic organic dust syn
drome (TODS).
In a few extreme cases, if moldy
grain or crop material is handled,
“farmer’s lung” may develop.
Typical symptoms of these respir
atory ailments includes throat irri
tation and a persistent cough that
may or may not include sputum,
wheezing, tightness in the chest,
fever, and muscle ache. Some
cases require extended days of bed
rest or hospitalization.
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The best protection against
these dust diseases are manage
ment actions that minimize dust
level generation, and limiting an
individual’s ■ exposure to dust.
•S Limiting exposure to the dust
3 becomes particularly important
once an individual starts showing
5 persistent symptoms of lung
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Another method to reduce the
harmful effects of dust exposure is
to wear respiratory protection.
There are several types of respira
tors that offer some protection
against respirable dust; however,
the type used by many farm work
ers offers no protection at all
against respirable dusts.
This simplest type of respiratory
protection is commonly called a
nuisance dust mask. It is designed
to only filter out dust particles 10
microns and larger; therefore, it
doesn’t filter out any of the respir
able dust. The mask is constructed
of a lightweight cloth-type mater
ial, and its thin, single elastic band
results in a poor seal around the
mouth and nose.
Disposable toxic dust masks,
marked by only a slightly heavier
cloth-type material, two elastic
bands, and a government approval
number, are designed to filter
respirable dust but also seal poorly
and provide only limited
protection.
Cartridge-type respirators are
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designed to filter respirable dust
and normally have wide, adjust
able elastic bands and a rubber face
piece that seals substantially better
around the mouth and nose. This
cartridge-type respirator offers
much better protection against
dusts than the disposable cloth
type masks.
Cartridge respirators have
replaceable filters and washable
face pieces so a single respirator
can last indefinitely. With a price
range of approximately $25 to $5O,
it is a good investment for con
tinued exposure to respirable poul
try dust.
Still, there are a few limitations
to be aware of with cartridge
respirators. If a worker has facial
hair, the hair may interfere with a
good seal around the mouth and
nose. Also, some cartridge respira
tors may be hot or otherwise
uncomfortable to wear in some
poultry house environments.
In addition, because the shape of
a person’s face often changes as a
person works, additional leakage
around the mouth and nose may
occur. The act of breathing creates
a negative air pressure inside the
mask and allows dust to seep in if a
perfect seal is notmaintained. This
leakage usually isn’t a serious
problem unless the worker has a
chronic or permanent respiratory
condition and has serious reactions
to respirable dust exposures.
The best protection against
respirable dust is a powered air
helmet. It is several times more
effective at filtering respirable dust
than any of the respirator types
mentioned so far.
As the name implies, a powered
air helmet utilizes a helmet to
enclose the head, and through the
use of a battery pack, delivers a
stream of filtered air to the per
son’s breathing zone. The powered
air helmet is designed to create
positive air pressure inside the hel
met, which negates the problems
of a poor seal associated with
facial hair, glasses, and movement
Workers are often surprised at
how light and comfortable pow
ered air helmets feel. Powered air
helmets range in cost from about
$250 to $BOO. This may seem
expensive until the price is com
pared to doctor and hospital bills.
When respirable dust hazards are
ignored for too long of time, this
type of respiratory protection may
be the only type that will offer the
worker sufficient protection.
Respiratory protection devices
are available from a number of
sources that may be found by
checking the yellow pages under
“safety equipment,” agricultural
chemical supply companies, or by
contacting your county extension
office or the Pennsylvania Agri
cultural Safety Council.
For prompt delivery contact
your local Martin Limestone
dealer or call Blue Ball. Pa.
(800) 233-0205
(717) 354-4125