Assessment of Chemical and Microbiological Pollutants in Poultry Fields

Introduction: The research aimed to assess the chemical and microbiological pollutants present in poultry fields, focusing on airborne dust composition, microbial contaminants, and potential health risks to both poultry and workers. Methods: Dust samples were taken from poultry farms holding between 52,000 and 85,000 birds. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess significant differences, and for pairwise comparisons, Tukey's post hoc test was applied. Results: PM10 was the most prevalent dust fraction, with levels ranging from 1.2 to 16.m³. Farm 2 had significantly higher proportions of and than Farm 1 (p0.05). Settling dust contained pathogenic bacteria such as Enterococcus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella, along with mold strains like Aspergillus penicilliosis (70.3%) and A. fumigatus, a known health risk. Cytotoxicity against chicken hepatocytes ranged from 8.7% to 31.2%, indicating minimal risk under tested conditions. Conclusions: Poultry farms harbor significant levels of airborne dust and microbial contaminants, with variations between farms. The presence of pathogenic bacteria and fungi poses potential health risks, though cytotoxicity results suggest low immediate toxicity. Continuous monitoring and mitigation strategies are recommended to reduce exposure and improve air quality in poultry environments.