Methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia can exist in manure storage facilities. High concentrations of methane can be explosive, and hydrogen sulfide can reach life threatening levels in seconds. High carbon dioxide levels indicate low air flow exchange rates which may further indicate an oxygen deficiency. Ammonia irritates the eyes and respiratory tract. Oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide can exist in silos.
Sulfur dioxide is an irritant.
It is estimated that several thousand workers have suffered chronic and acute health affects from toxic and irritating gases produced within these facilities. Farm animals experience prolonged exposure to lower level pollutants including dust particles that are less than one micron in size. Continual exposure to these hazardous gases can cause stress, loss of appetite, and even death. Various acute and chronic diseases, including but not limited to contagious respiratory diseases, can be initiated by exposure to air pollutants or aggravated by them. Such gaseous and particulate stressors on confined animals can lead to increased production costs to farmers.