scope:

The objective of this guideline is to describe bioaerosol sources and available control measures in the agricultural sector. While an area source-related assessment of potential emissions is in the foreground in crop production, a point source-related assessment can be applied for livestock operations.

This guideline applies in particular to livestock facilities within the meaning of 4. BImSchV that are subject to permitting under the German air pollution control legislation (see Annex A, Table A1). Potential bioaerosol sources are described and control measures presented and assessed to the extent possible.

The indoor air in livestock buildings contains a wide variety of air pollutants that can be classified into the following categories:

• gaseous pollutants - mainly NH3, CH4 and H2S

• particulate air pollutants of inorganic and organic origin including microorganisms (e. g. bacteria, fungi) and their constituents (e. g. endotoxins, mycotoxins). These are referred to as bioaerosols.

The air quality in livestock facilities may cause diseases of the respiratory tract both in animals and humans. In recent years, nuisance complaints from citizens living in the vicinity of livestock facilities have been reported [3].

For the permitting procedure under the German air pollution control legislation, the BImSchG and TA Luft have to be taken into account. The latter lays down the requirements for the building design and the control of odour emission from livestock operations. As a precautionary measure, minimum setback distances from the nearest residential area must be observed. The setback distances are defined as a function of the housing capacity of the livestock operation.

While additional requirements under the air pollution control legislation are primarily aimed at controlling ammonia, odour, dust and noise emissions, they may also contribute to a reduction of aerosol emissions. Furthermore, TA Luft mandates that state-of-the-art measures for the control of microorganisms and endotoxins (BImSchG § 3 No. 6) should be considered.