Discovery News reports that University of Illinois researchers have been researching "stinky animal gas" right here in Champaign-Urbana -- the Stinky Animal Gas Capital of the Western World:
Like flatulence that never dissipates, gaseous ammonia and other odorous gases resulting from animal manure can attach to dust particles, leaving behind matter that is both unpleasant and unhealthy for humans, according to new research that evaluated the levels of dust stink. . . .
Co-author Jongmin Lee explained that an attraction-producing force, known in physics as the Van der Waals force, causes gas molecules to bond with those of the dust. The resulting bond is weaker than most chemical bonds, but it's enough keep the gas stuck to the dust.
"The reverse of adsorption, desorption, is the transfer of gas from dust particles to the surrounding air, and the principles are the same as for adsorption," Lee, a researcher in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, explained to Discovery News.
He added that heat can permit the gases to volatize and separate from the dust.
Lee and colleague Yuanhui Zhang therefore created a closed cylinder device that both introduced heat and then allowed for the measurement of the released gas from dust that was scraped off of barns, pipelines and exhaust fans from animal structures located in Illinois. They focused on ammonia, one of the smelliest gases produced by animals. . . .
Aside from the stink problem, the gassy particles may pose human health risks.
"Particles smaller than 10 micrometers can penetrate into the large upper branches just below the throat where they are caught and removed by coughing and spitting or by swallowing," said Lee. "Also, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers can get down into the deepest portions of human lungs and can cause respiratory disease.
And believe me, what we don't know about animal stench is not worth knowing. I wish I could share with you the distinctive odor of the "South Farms," but -- fortunately for you -- I can't upload a stench.
I think I have a pretty good idea, Gail. If you ever happen to be traveling on I-5 in Central California, be sure to take a detour at least 30 miles before the Harris Ranch, and don't get back on 5 until you're in Oregon.
Posted by: CraigC | March 03, 2008 at 01:50 PM