The effectiveness of various biofiltration substrates in removing bacteria, endotoxins, and dust from ventilation system exhaust from a chicken hatchery

Poult Sci. 2007 Oct;86(10):2095-100. doi: 10.1093/ps/86.10.2095.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various organic and organic-mineral biofilter media in purifying ventilation exhaust from a chicken hatchery room. Three different substrates were tested. Efficiency levels for the removal of dust, gram-negative bacteria, and bacterial endotoxin were recorded. The microbiological properties of the substrates were also studied. All of the biofilter substrates were highly effective in removing gram-negative bacteria, moderately effective in reducing dust levels, and only slightly effective in removing endotoxin. The substrate that was most efficient in retaining bioaerosols was the organic-mineral medium containing 20% halloysite, 40% compost, and 40% peat, which generally had at least satisfactory efficiency values for removing all of the contaminants tested.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Microbiology*
  • Animal Husbandry / instrumentation
  • Animal Husbandry / methods
  • Animals
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Chickens* / physiology
  • Dust / prevention & control*
  • Endotoxins / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Filtration / instrumentation
  • Housing, Animal*
  • Ventilation / instrumentation*
  • Ventilation / methods

Substances

  • Dust
  • Endotoxins