What are the Dangers of airborne gas when handling livestock?
â–²DANGER HAZARD RECOGNITION CHART OF AIRBORNE GAS WHEN HANDLING LIVESTOCK Courtesy of MWPS-18 Livestock waste Facilities Handbook GASES AND ODORS FROM STORED WASTES Consider the quality of air inside enclosed livestock buildings. Wastes stored under slotted floors may be in the buildings long enough for bacterial action to produce gases and strong odors. Odors can be a nuisance to producers and cause complaints and even lawsuits by neighbors. Noxious gases can irritate both livestock and operators, and can be harmful and even lethal. Workers and visitors have reported nose, throat, and eye irritations. Atmospheric air is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide, and smaller amounts of inert gases. Air content is changed in livestock buildings. Breathing uses oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. Oxygen content in the air below 10% is critical. Odors are given off from animal’s skins, urine, and manure. Anaerobic decomposition of manure in a pit releases additional noxiou
