Measurement of Odorants in Livestock Buildings: SIFT-MS and TD-GC-MS

Air samples from animal farming are analysed in parallel using traditional TD-GC-MS (thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry) and SIFT-MS (selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry). In samples from 4 different livestock buildings, 23 odorous compounds are detected and quantified based on TD-GC-MS, including organic acids, sulphur compounds and phenols. Significant concentration differences are found between pig stables and poultry houses. SIFT-MS spectra show similar differences in product ion intensities, suggesting SIFT-MS as a promising fast technique for evaluation of odorous emissions from livestock buildings.