Potential adverse health effects can be attributed to both the direct irritation of tissue and allergic reactions in response to inhaled foreign protein. Dust also serves to carry and protect embed microorganisms, and to transport adsorbed gases deep into the sensitive tissue of the lungs. Little is known about the effects of specific dust components on respiratory function, with the exception of endotoxin. Recent research indicates that exposure limits to swine house dust may need to be considerably lower than the TLV's previously set for industrial occupancy. Methods of monitoring confinement house contaminants Despite the complexity of the swine house atmosphere, most of the elements can be measured.
Contaminant concentrations vary over time and space.
Therefore, sampling location, frequency, and duration are all important considerations in monitoring confinement atmospheres. The sensitivity of the equipment used must also be taken into account. In general, it is far easier to measure gases than it is to measure dusts and bioaerosols. Presently, there are no reliable conversion factors available for comparing contaminant concentrations derived from different sampling methods. Indiscriminate interchanging of measurements can therefore lead to potentially serious errors.