Assessment of Inhalable and Respirable Dust for Four Poultry Farms in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt

The atmosphere of poultry farms usually contains significant levels of agricultural dust and toxic gases, which may cause harm to workers' health. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the environmental exposure to dust pollutants; inhalable (PM10) and respirable (PM2.5) dust. The study was carried out in 4 commercially operated poultry farms located in Al-Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. The chosen poultry farms were based on their equipped way. The air samples were collected twice a week during 3 different stages of the rearing period of broiler chicks. The study was done during the period of November 2018 to April 2019. The results of this study showed that inhalable dust varied between 99 215 μg/m3 and respirable dust varied from 83-195 μg/m3 in farms C and D, respectively. It can be concluded the accumulation of manure, water, and feed remains lead to several pollutants particulate matters which have hazard health effects on farmworkers. Therefore, personal protective equipment as a face mask and mask filter must be used especially during disinfection process, for reduction of the pollutants exposure.