Key volatile organic compounds emitted from swine nursery house

This study was carried out to quantify the concentration and emission levels of key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – sulfides, indolics, phenolics and volatile fatty acids (VFA) – emitted from swine nursery house, and assess the effect of microclimate (including temperature, relative humidity and air speed) on the key odorous compounds. Samples were collected from the Experimental Farm of Seoul National University in Suwon, South Korea. And the collection took place for four seasons and the sampling time was fixed at 10:30 in the morning. The application of one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni t analyses revealed that, most of the odorous compound concentrations, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), indole, p-cresol and all the volatile fatty acids were lowest during the summer (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, negative correlations were observed between temperature and odorants, as well as air speed and odorants. A possible reason was that high ventilation transferred most of the odors out of the house during the summer. From the whole year data, non-linear multiple regressions were conducted and the equations were proposed depending upon the relationships between microclimate parameters and odorous compounds. The equations were applied in hope of easily calculating the concentrations of the odorous compounds in the commercial farms. The results obtained in this study should be used for reducing the volatile organic compounds by controlling microclimate parameters and also could be helpful in setting a guideline for good management practices in nursery house.

► We carry the study in an confined swine nursery house.
► We quantify the concentration and emission levels of key VOCs.
► We assess the effect of microclimate on the VOCs.
► Equations are proposed for evaluating VOCs through microclimate parameters.
► The result should be useful for reducing the VOCs by controlling the microclimate.