PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF CATTLE FEEDLOT DUST EMISSION

Abstract

The cattle feedlot industry is under increased scrutiny and regulatory involvement at state and national levelswith regard to particulate matter (PM) emissions from fugitive sources. Concentrations of total suspended particulatematter (TSP) and PM less than 10 micrometers (PM10) aerodynamic equivalent diameter (AED) were measured, usinghigh volume samplers and Sierra Andersen samplers, respectively. Particle size distributions of dust captured on samplerfilters were measured with a Coulter Counter model TAII. Mass median diameters for high volume and PM10 samplersaveraged 9.5 1.5 and 6.9 0.8 m (AED), respectively. Three cattle feedlots (17,000 to 40,000 head capacity) in theSouthern Great Plains were used in the study.