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Emissions from cattle farms in Estonia may vary from emissions in other regions of Europe due climatic differences and the housing systems used. Emission factors (EF) for the tie and loose housing systems for dairy farming were measured. Ammonia, odour and H2S emission measurements were made in tie and loose housing cattle farms with solid and liquid manure systems. Measurement were carried out in 2007 (10 different days from February to October) and in 2013 (in 30 different days in July–August). The gaseous EFs calculated for the tie housing cow building were 5.34 ± 0.47 kg [NH3] y−1 AU−1, 19.36 ± 4.39 g [H2S] y−1 AU−1 and for odour was 1.77 ± 3.06 OU y−1 AU−1. The EFs for the loose housing cow barn were 6.50 ± 4.01 kg [NH3] y−1 AU−1, 51.34 ± 30.34 g [H2S] y−1 AU−1 and for odour were 15.63 ± 20.96 OU y−1 AU−1. The NH3 and H2S EFs were validated through dispersion modelling against ambient levels measured in vicinity of the farms using passive samplers. An Eulerian advection-diffusion model with meteorological data was used to validate NH3 and H2S emission data. There was in general good correlation between measured and modelled levels for NH3 in both farms and for H2S in farm B. In general the EF were reliable and can be used in local and regional emission inventories and in dispersion calculations, but variation of emissions with temperature needs be taken into account. Further research is required to investigate emissions from more dairy farms over longer periods.

The concentration of airborne particulate matter in large scale uninsulated loose housing cowsheds was investigated. Airborne particulate matter can be a potential risk factor for human and animal health. Also investigated were correlations between indoor particulate matter, noxious gas concentrations and other microclimate parameters. Measures of inhalable particulate matter (PMtotal, PM10) and respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM1.0), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and ammonia (NH 3 ) concentrations, air temperature, and relative humidity were taken at eight to 13 locations in nine large uninsulated loose housing cowsheds in Estonia from September 2008 to August 2009. The mean recorded concentrations of PMtotal were 205 ± 270 μg m −3 , PM10 65 ± 121 μg m −3 , PM2.5 18 ± 46 μg m −3 and PM1.0 10 ± 11 μg m −3 . The overall mean inside air CO 2 concentration was 553 ± 315 ppm, and that of ammonia 1.2 ± 1.9 ppm. The mean air temperature was 9.6 ± 6.6 °C, and relative humidity 83.2 ± 16.8%. The concentration of particulate matter (all fractions) inside the uninsulated loose housing cowsheds was low compared to pig and poultry housing systems. There was a clear seasonal variation between measurements in summer and winter. The particulate matter (all fractions) and CO 2 concentrations were higher, and ammonia concentrations lower, in the winter. The particulate matter concentration in the atmosphere also had an effect on the internal environment in uninsulated loose housing cowsheds.