H1a: Influential Factors on Swine Production Worker Exposure

Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center 

The pork industry plays a major role in the US agricultural economy. The US ranks as the third-largest pork-producing country and was the leading exporter of pork and pork products in 2024. Over the last three decades, this industry has undergone major changes, with farms becoming larger and pigs increasingly raised indoors under controlled environments. These enclosed barns often contain elevated concentrations of airborne contaminants, raising the risk of workers' exposure to airborne hazards such as carbon dioxide, ammonia,, hydrogen sulfide , particulate matter, and biological agents generated from animal waste, feed, and barn activities. Long-term exposure to these hazards has been linked to chronic bronchitis, and reduced lung function.

Despite extensive research, there is no consensus on how ventilation rate, housing design, seasonality, or stocking density affect worker exposure. Two review studies reported inconsistent results regarding ventilation mode, barn type, season, temperature, humidity and animal factors on PM and H2S exposure. Moreover, although higher Staphylococcus aureus concentrations were associated with lower ventilation rates, broader determinants of biological exposures remain understudied.

This presentation summarizes findings from a study in grow-to-finish swine barns in the US Midwest, evaluating the role of farm size, ventilation rate, season, temperature, humidity, and pig-level data on worker exposures.

Juan Mena Vasquez, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
Gerardo Diaz Ortiz, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
My Yang, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
Montserrat Torremorell, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
Noelle Noyes, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
Sagar Goyal, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, MN 

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Aerosol and airborne particulate monitoring

Biosafety

Exposure Assessment

Real-time detection services and direct reading instruments

Ventilation