Analysis of two horse bedding materials for respirable dust concentrations affecting occupational and equine health within large-scale [POSTER]

Large scale equine facilities require immense amounts of bedding material on a regular basis. This presents a number of problems with material intake and material extraction affecting occupational and equine health. Industry is searching for a healthier and more sustainable alternative to the current material being used in order to reduce the possibility of adverse health effects from respirable dust.

Our comparative study of the respirable dust generated during the bedding of horses with sawdust and shredded cardboard attempts to determine the associated health risks. By characterizing the properties of bedding materials using compaction/compression, particle size distribution analysis, field capacity, usability, durability, and aesthetics we have developed a scale for overall evaluation of occupational and equine health. Further testing and cost comparisons are being conducted using these properties. We at The University of Findlay are also considering sustainability which is increased when using locally generated recycled material, shredded cardboard, compared to imported material, sawdust, which also has to be exported as waste. We have identified high concentrations of respirable dust during the handling of sawdust with peak results above 6.0 mg/m^3 which are above the OSHA standard of 1.0 mg/m^3. Personal sampling will identify the daily average which we expect to be less than the standard because not all of the time is spent handling bedding materials. The properties of sawdust and shredded cardboard bedding materials have been characterized based on qualitative and quantitative analysis. It has been found that sawdust has smaller particle size distribution leading to better absorptive properties but higher dust concentrations. Cardboard has similar compaction/ compression properties to sawdust and possesses more spring but lacks in aesthetics. The greatest benefit to using the shredded cardboard is the lack of respirable dust generation compared to sawdust, which reduces the potential adverse health effects associated with handling sawdust. Cost comparisons will show the relative comparison of equivalent amounts of bedding materials needed, but ultimately it will be the occupational and equine health factors that will have to be taken into consideration when selecting a bedding material.