PLF air quality abatement systems to improve animal welfare in piggeries: a case study

Air inside pig barns is characterized by high concentration of ammonia (NH3) and particulate matter (PM). The high number of pigs reared into large scale farms contributes to the deterioration of air quality inside the barns, posing a health risk to animals and workers. The same airborne pollutants then are emitted outside, causing pollution in the surrounding environment. The LIFE-MEGA project implemented in heavy pig houses a control unit equipped with an artificial intelligence firmware able to continuously monitor the concentration of NH3 and PM inside the barns and activate the operation of two different abatement technologies (dry filter and wet scrubber) for air quality control. Thanks to a reduction of airborne pollutants concentration, positive effects on animal health and welfare were observed.