Identification of airborne particles and fungus spores concentrations within horses stables

Horses are used mainly for sports and leisure activities and are predominantly kept in closed individual straw-bedded stalls for a long time during the day, especially in cold weather. Horses are may therefore be exposed to high concentrations of particulate matter and microorganisms from the bedding and fodder material. The dangers posed by exposure the horses to high pollutant concentrations for a long period are respiratory diseases. Thus, the aim of the present research was to detect the potential PM and mold emitting sources in typical horse stables and to identify the concentrations of the particles in the stable air on the basis of quantitative and qualitative studies for the PM and mold concentrations. Long-term measurements of particles and molds were conducted in two horse stables located in Rottgen city, Germany. Collected data from two stables were checked for possible correlations between particulate matter and mold spores. Simulation experiments for the emitted particulates during feeding hay were conducted with a particulate chamber. High diurnal fluctuations in concentrations were observed due to the daily activities in the stables. Fine particles were dominant in the air, especially with a size 0.3–0.4 μm. Mold concentrations in the stables ranged from 3.9 to 5.9 × 105 CFU/m3. The most common mold genera were Eurotium, Wallemia, and Cladosporium. The latter two were found in the straw and hay. A limited prognosis occurred of the mold fungus concentration in horse stables on the basis of airborne particle concentration.