# Presentation: 242061

## What are manure pits?

- Manure pits are underground tanks where manure is stored.
- Pits are located directly underneath where the animals live.
- Some manure falls through the slats in the floor.  The rest is flushed away and into the pit with water.

- Indoor Manure Pit

**Notes:**
Ask:  Who has seen a manure pit?  What kinds of animals use a manure pit?  What other ways are there of storing manure?  (Outdoor lagoons and tanks). 

## Why do farmers use them?

- Manure pits make cleaning up large amounts of manure easy for the farmer.
- Farmers can save the manure all winter and use it to fertilize crops in the spring.
- Pits help farmers protect our rivers, lakes, and streams; manure can be stored in one spot and then carefully applied when crops need fertilizer.

## Guess how much manure these animals make each day.

- Dairy Cow:
- Horse:
- Pig:
- Sheep:
- Your dad or mom:
- You:
- Your cat:

**Notes:**
This slide is intended to be an interactive slide.  Use a water-based marker to write the answers on the poster.  Ask the question, write down the answers that people guess.  The total amount is in pounds, liquid and solid.  Next poster has the correct answers.

## Manure Production, per day:

- Dairy Cow:  120 pounds!
- Horse:  51 pounds!
- Pig:  10 pounds!
- Sheep:  4 pounds!
- Your dad or mom:  6 pounds.
- You:  2 pounds.
- Your cat:  one half pound.

**Notes:**
Dairy cow, horse, pig, and sheep numbers from Livestock Waste Facilities Handbook, Midwest Plan Service #18, 1985.
Human and cat waste numbers derived from formula of 3.5% of total body weight, as per manure experts in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department.

## Daily Manure Production

## Why is a manure pit dangerous?

- When manure sits in a pit, it produces four gases that are harmful to people and animals. These gases include hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methane.
- These gases accumulate in high concentrations in manure pit areas.  The gases can be deadly.
- The large volume of liquid that must be stored in many manure pits is a danger.  Children and adults can drown in pits, commonly as deep as 8 feet.  Pits typically have either very steep or vertical walls, making escape impossible.

**Notes:**
At this point you might want to use the manure pit demo model to show how gases accumulate in the maure pit.

See:  Directions for Manure Pit.

The main point here is that gases accumulate and displace the oxygen (which is necessary for human breathing).  

Be sure to emphasize that this is a model, real gases are invisible and cannot be seen.

## Hydrogen Sulfide

- The most dangerous gas (used in gas chambers).
- Strong “rotten egg” smell.
- Deadens your sense of smell and gives you a false sense of security.
- Heavier than air.
- Paralyzes the nerves that make you breathe.
- Flammable.

**Notes:**
Hydrogen sulfide is the most dangerous gas found in enclosed livestock operations. It is responsible for most manure-related deaths of animals and people. 

Within seconds of exposure, hydrogen sulfide can cause unconsciousness, which can be fatal. Concentrations as low as 1,000 ppm can result in death. The maximum allowable concentration is 10 ppm. 

Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air, so it will accumulate in underground pits or other low-lying, unventilated areas. Although its rotten egg odor can be detected at levels of less than 1 ppm, the gas will paralyze the sense of smell at higher levels. 

Solution: Whenever you work in manure storage facilities, always assume hydrogen sulfide is present. Follow these safety precautions to minimize the dangers of hydrogen sulfide:  
Provide extra ventilation during agitation. 
Never enter a pit without precautions. 
If you suspect high hydrogen sulfide levels for any reason, leave the building immediately. Signs include the presence of sick or dead animals in the area, or a sudden headache or dizziness. 
(Source: ISU Extension publication #: Pm-1518k )

## Carbon Dioxide

- Makes your ‘pop’ fizz.
- Odorless.
- Colorless.
- Heavier than air.
- Will suffocate you.
- People and animals breathe it out and plants breathe it in.

**Notes:**
Carbon dioxide is the result of animal respiration. Carbon monoxide is the result of using combustion equipment, such as heaters and gas-operated power washers, in a confined area. This equipment produces more carbon monoxide when engines don't burn cleanly. 

At high concentrations, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide can cause respiratory distress and headaches. At prolonged high exposures, these gases can be fatal. Federal standards set maximum concentrations at 5,000 parts per million (ppm),  about 0.5 percent, for carbon dioxide; and 50 ppm, about 0.005 percent, for carbon monoxide. 

Solution: These gases usually aren't a problem under normal conditions with proper ventilation. However, it's important to maintain some ventilation at all times, even when animals are not present. 
(Source: ISU Extension publication #: Pm-1518k )

## Ammonia 

- Heavier than air.
- Ammonia has a distinct odor (like smelling salts).
- Burns your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
- Found in almost all animal buildings.

- Ammonia

**Notes:**
Ammonia is a troublesome by-product of manure decomposition. It is an eye irritant at levels above 20 to 25 ppm. When exposed to levels around 1,500 ppm, people begin to cough and froth at the mouth. Ammonia is deadly at 5,000 ppm. 

Ammonia has a distinct odor, which humans can detect in concentrations as small as 5 ppm. It's common during winter months for ammonia levels to exceed 25 ppm, even under normal winter ventilation rates. Although it is debated by safety experts, 25 ppm is frequently recommended as a maximum acceptable level for ammonia. If your eyes burn when you enter an enclosed livestock facility, you know ammonia levels are at least 20 ppm. 

Solution: Provide at least a minimum winter ventilation rate throughout the year. Water attracts ammonia, so frequent rinsing of equipment or leaving at least a half-inch of water in pits or on the floor can help. 
(Source: ISU Extension publication #: Pm-1518k )

## Methane

- Lighter Than Air.
- Highly Flammable.
- Explosive.

**Notes:**
Methane is dangerous because it is highly combustible. At concentrations of 50,000 ppm or more (a level of 5 percent), methane can explode. Methane gas is produced as animal wastes decompose, and warm temperatures accelerate this process. Another problem is that this colorless, odorless, tasteless gas is difficult to detect. Methane is lighter than air and will accumulate in the top of unvented areas, such as closed pits. The maximum allowable concentration is 1,000 ppm, or 0.1 percent. 

Solution: Make sure all pits and manure storage areas are adequately ventilated. Prohibit all open sparks or flames in areas near pits or storage facilities. 
(Source: ISU Extension publication #: Pm-1518k )

## So why would anyone go in a manure pit?

- JH, man, age 25.  Entered pit to change a nozzle.  Collapsed and died after being overcome by gases.
- BH, man, age 32.  Hose fell into pit, he went in to retrieve hose and was overcome by gases, died.
- TP, boy, age 2.  Exploring, fell into pit on his family’s farm and died.
- MK & JK, father & son, age 43 & 21.  Went into pit to work on it, died when they were overcome by gases.
- JD, boy, age 2.  Playing near pit, fell in and drowned.
- JD, man, age 43.  Fell into pit trying to save calf.
- PH, man, age 27.  Went in to work on pump, overcome by gas.

**Notes:**
How could these deaths have been prevented?

## What should a person do?

- STAY OUT OF MANURE PITS!!!
- Adults who enter a manure pit must wear a self-contained breathing apparatus, even if the pit is empty.  Use a life line that is connected to someone outside the danger area.
- Use a monitor to check for adequate oxygen levels and absence of toxic gases before and during entry.
- Ventilate the space with an external fan.

## What would you do if someone fell in a manure pit?

**Notes:**
This poster is intended to be interactive.  Ask the question and write down all the answers that people give (with a water-based marker).  When everyone is finished giving answers, go to the next slide for the correct answers.

## If someone fell into a manure pit you should:

- CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY.
- DO NOT TRY TO RESCUE THE PERSON.
- Wait for the rescuers to arrive.  They have the correct equipment to rescue the person.