Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
Dust, also referred to as particulate matter (PM), is known to exert adverse health impacts on humans and animals. PM is also a vector for infectious viruses. PM in poultry farms can reach concentrations hundreds of times higher than those outdoors, representing a significant risk for the health and welfare of workers and birds. A solid understanding of both the concentration and chemical composition of PM in poultry farms is imperative to understand and mitigate such risks.
Previous studies show that the PM concentrations were highly variable between farms, indicating farm-specific factors affecting the pollutant level. Research instruments alone could not afford the measurement of pollutant concentration within a farm, making it difficult to identify farm-specific factors affecting pollutant concentrations. Recent development of low-cost PM sensors has the potential to overcome this challenge.
In this study, researchers will characterize PM in poultry farms with innovative approaches. This team aims to introduce novel, low-cost PM sensors ($150 CAD each) for this task.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
This research will introduce new technology, low-cost air quality sensors, to provide new knowledge about air pollutants present in poultry farms. New knowledge will be linked to improved practices to reduce risks associated with dust and PM in farms.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Results will be shared through the Poultry Innovation Partnership (PIP) and various connections in the poultry and egg industry. Results will be posted on the PIP website, shared in an EFA research summary, an EFA webinar and Q&A document, a talk at the Western Poultry conference, and a student presentation at the Prairie Poultry conference.
Findings will also be shared at environmental chemistry conferences like Prairie Environmental Chemistry Colloquium and Chemical Society of Canada Annual Meeting, as well as published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.