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Journal Article

Citation

Chenard L, Lemay SP, Lague C. J. Agric. Saf. Health 2003; 9(4): 285-302.

Affiliation

Institute for Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health, University of Saskatchewan, P.O. Box 120, R.U.H., 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon SK, Canada S7N 0W8. chenard@sask.usask.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, American Society of Agricultural Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14679877

Abstract

In Saskatchewan, some recent incidents have lead

us to believe that certain manure management activities can potentially release

high concentrations of H2S into the atmosphere of shallow-pit barns. The

objectives of the monitoring project reported here were to evaluate worker

exposure to H2S during the completion of the following tasks: emptying of

in-barn shallow manure pits, power washing of barn rooms, and agitation and

emptying of outdoor manure storage facilities. In-barn monitoring was performed

in gestation, farrowing, nursery, and grow-finish sections in the summer of 2001

and the winter of 2002 on four different farms. Plug pulling can generate very

high concentrations of H2S. The maximum values recorded during some of the

monitored events reached 1,000 ppm. The H2S released as a plug is being pulled

does not follow a predictable pattern when considering the level that will be

reached, the concentration variations during the event, and the time at which

the peak concentration will be observed. Power washing generated lower H2S

concentrations than plug pulling. However, as the task to be performed generally

takes time, the 15 min time-weighed average of 15 ppm (STEL) can be reached

after the task started and can be exceeded for a long period of time, which for

some of the monitored events was more than 30 min. Finally, monitoring at the

storage facilities showed that the risks of exposure to excessive H2S

concentrations during the agitation and emptying of outside manure storage

facilities were very limited. Results from this study suggest that pig

production buildings involving short-term storage of liquid manure may present

H2S exposure risks that have been underestimated until now. All workers should

be provided with an H2S monitor and safety equipment to ensure that workers are

protected when the H2S concentration rises. As well, engineering controls have

to be developed to prevent H2S formation in the manure or H2S emission into the

worker/pig space.

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