Air quality, sound pressure level, and thermal environment of two swine nursery styles

Abstract

Because of the importance of the ambiance in swine facilities, this study aimed to evaluate the air quality, the sound pressure level, and the thermal environment of two distinct swine nursery styles. A completely randomized block design with a split-plot arrangement was used, in which the main plots were composed of the nurseries and the external environment; the subplots were the hours; and the replications were the collection days. Air temperature data (°C), relative humidity (%), and black globe humidity index (BGHI) data were collected throughout the day at 10-min intervals, with means compared by Tukey’s test at 0.05 probability level. Instantaneous concentrations of ammonia (ppm), carbon dioxide (ppm), and sound pressure levels (dB(C)) were measured three times daily and analyzed on boxplot graphs. The results showed no difference between the two nurseries with respect to thermal, air, and acoustic environment. The nurseries can be considered uncomfortable for the animals with respect to thermal conditions. Concentrations of gases and sound pressure levels did not exceed the limits established by current regulations. In both nurseries only at 09h00 it was possible to detect sound pressure levels that characterize the condition of comfort thermal of the environment, at the other times, alert and stress conditions were observed.