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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Livestock Nutrient Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #163001
Title: THE EFFECT OF AEROSOLIZED CLASS C FLY ASH IN WEANLING GOATS.

Author
item Purdy, Charles
item STRAUS, DAVID - TTU - HEALTH SCI. CTR
item AYERS, J. - VET. DIAGNOSTIC CTR.

Submitted to: American Association for Aerosol Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/4/2004
Publication Date: 10/4/2004
Citation: Purdy, C.W., Straus, D.C., Ayers, J.R. 2004. The effect of aerosolized class C fly ash in weanling goats [abstract 6PA6]. American Association for Aerosol Research Annual Conference. October 4-8, 2004. Atlanta, Georgia. p.187.

Interpretive Summary: Fly ash is a popular inexpensive material used to make semi-solid surfaces over the soil of feedyard pens. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of repeated aerosol exposures of fly ash dust on the respiratory tracts of goats while confined in a tent. Fly ash particle diameters ranged from 0.1 to 130 micron and averaged 17.8 micron, with 1.5 % of fly ash particles in the 0.1 to 5 micron size range. Twelve weanling Boar/Spanish goats were randomized into two groups of six goats each, negative controls, and fly ash principals. Fly ash dust was delivered inside the tent for four hours (mean 748 g, plus/minus 152 SD) per treatment and six treatments were given over three months. The rectal temperature for the overall model was significantly increased (P < 0.05) at 4, 6, 8 hrs, and significantly decreased at 72 hrs when compared to 0 hr. However, the WBC counts for the overall model were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased during the 4, 5, and 6 dust events compared to the first three dust events. The % hematocrit for the overall model was significantly (P < 0.05) increased for the dust principals (mean 37.47 %, plus/minus 0.39 SE), compared to the controls (mean 36.17 %, plus/minus 0.42 SE). There were no significant gross or histological lung lesions observed in the multiple fly ash treated goats. It was concluded that the six four hour treatments of aerosolized fly ash administered over three months were non-toxic to the goats.

Technical Abstract: Fly ash is a popular inexpensive material used to make semi-solid surfaces over the soil of feedyard pens. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of repeated aerosol exposures of fly ash dust on the respiratory tracts of goats while confined in a tent. Fly ash particle diameters ranged from 0.1 to 130 micron and averaged 17.8 micron, with 1.5 % of fly ash particles in the 0.1 to 5 micron size range. Twelve weanling Boar/Spanish goats were randomized into two groups of six goats each, negative controls, and fly ash principals. Fly ash dust was delivered inside the tent for four hours (mean 748 g, plus/minus 152 SD) per treatment and six treatments were given over three months. The rectal temperature for the overall model was significantly increased (P < 0.05) at 4, 6, 8 hrs, and significantly decreased at 72 hrs when compared to 0 hr. However, the WBC counts for the overall model were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased during the 4, 5, and 6 dust events compared to the first three dust events. The % hematocrit for the overall model was significantly (P < 0.05) increased for the dust principals (mean 37.47 %, plus/minus 0.39 SE), compared to the controls (mean 36.17 %, plus/minus 0.42 SE). There were no significant gross or histological lung lesions observed in the multiple fly ash treated goats. It was concluded that the six four hour treatments of aerosolized fly ash administered over three months were non-toxic to the goats.