Assessment of Human Health Risk due to Inhalation Exposure in Cattle and Pig Farms in South Moravia

Abstract

The main topic of this study was human health risk assessment of defined inhalation exposure scenario in selected cattle and pig farms in south Moravia (Czech Republic). This exceptional evaluation of potential risks for farms manipulators was the main contribution of this study. Possible both human health risks, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic (according to US EPA Human health risk assessment methodology), for feeders and other workers exposed to polluted indoor air in the farm stables were quantified in the selected pig and cattle farms with significantly increased concentrations mainly of carcinogenic PAHs and PCBs in the indoor air. No noncarcinogenic risks were determined in any of the localities, but also increased carcinogenic risks were observed. The highest carcinogenic health risk was found in the cattle stable (MAX IECR = 8.0810 -6 ), the lowest one in the pig stable (MIN IECR = 2.5710 -6 ). Carcinogenic risk values in the farms under study were not extremely high, but those were approximately twice higher than a median value of the risk determined for research workers from Koetice IECR = 5.9610 -7 (years 1996 -1999), Central European background monitoring station of EMEP.