Aerosols (dust, endotoxin, live and dead microorganisms) and manure gases (ammonia, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide) in livestock buildings have been implicated as major contributors to the increased incidence of respiratory disorders among livestock farmers. Applying oil can be a potentially effective method to reduce dust concentrations in livestock buildings. It was confirmed that sprinkling a small amount of oil onto the floor area and on animals can effectively reduce the spatial concentration of dust in the human breathing zone of the airspace. The technique of sprinkling pure oil at low pressure simplified the oil-application equipment and generated no oil mist. Four hours after oil application, dust levels in the animal room were reduced to levels similar to those in an office building.

KEYWORDS: Fuel oil, dust, content, piggeries, farm animal housing, aerosols, bacteria, ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, respiratory diseases, air cleaning, floors, air quality, indoor