Concentrations of Aerial Pollutant Gases in Selected Poultry Pens in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Research on the concentrations of pollutant gasses in tropical livestock buildings is needed in order to establish baselines for exposure limits in the context of animal and human welfare in tropical environments. Concentrations of aerial ammonia NH<SUB>4</SUB>, nitrous oxide (NO<SUB>2</SUB>), flammable gas (methane, CH<SUB>4</SUB>), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H<SUB>2</SUB>S) and sulfur dioxide (SO<SUB>2</SUB>) were measured in five intensive layer farms located Imo state during the month of August 2002. Data obtained were correlated with poultry house measurements in other to understand rates of increases of these pollutants as a result of changes in poultry house measurements. Overall mean aerial concentration of CO (3.11±0.73 ppm) was highest, followed by the 1.93 ± 0.14 ppm and 1.53 ± 0.71 ppm recorded for CH<SUB>4</SUB> and H<SUB>2</SUB>S respectively, while the 0.09 ± 0.19 ppm and the 0.14 ± 0.20 recorded for SO<SUB>2</SUB> and NH<SUB>4</SUB> respectively were lowest. The range of 3.25 ± 0.7ppm to 4.0±0.0 ppm of CO obtained in the four pens FA, FB<SUB>1</SUB>, FB<SUB>2</SUB> and FC was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of the other pens. Similarly, the 8.3±4.0 ppm H<SUB>2</SUB>S obtained in FB<SUB>1</SUB> was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of other pens. Predicted NO<SUB>2</SUB> gave the highest coefficient of determination (R<SUP>2</SUP>) of 0.612, while predicted H<SUB>2</SUB>S gave the least R<SUP>2</SUP> of 0.125. The correlation (R) between the concentration of aerial pollutants and poultry house dimensions ranged from 0.354 for H<SUB>2</SUB>S to 0.782 for NO<SUB>2</SUB> and were positive but non significant (P<0.05). This study demonstrates relatively high standard of air quality in the poultry pens indicating probably that the tropical open sided pens being used in the study area are well suited for poultry production during the rainy season month of August.