Odor Control for Animal Housing Systems with Liquid Manure - Oil Sprinkling

Coating surfaces to control dust has involved the use of vegetable oil, either sprayed or sprinkled in animal pens. A Minnesota study reported a 40 to 70 percent reduction in odor, following a detailed protocol for oil application. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations were reduced 40 to 60 percent in oil-sprinkled rooms. No affect on ammonia concentrations were observed. The practice involves safety issues such as slippery conditions of pens and alleys following repeated oil applications. Costs are minimal for the vegetable oil, and other costs involve a sprayer and labor needed for the daily oil application.

Extension Publications

• PM 1970a Practices to Reduce Odor from Livestock Operations (pdf)
• PM 1970b Practices to Reduce Odor From Livestock Operations Flowchart (pdf)
• EDC 162h Air Quality and Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1936 Air Quality Resources for Iowa Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1935 Gaseous Emissions from Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1963a The Science of Smell Part 1: Odor perception and Physiological Response (pdf)
• PM 1963b The Science of Smell Part 2: Odor Chemistry (pdf)
• PM 1963c The Science of Smell Part 3: Odor detection and measurement (pdf)
• PM 1963d The Science of Smell Part 4: Principles of Odor Control (pdf)
• PM 1964 Odor Control Methods Used by Iowa Pork Producers (pdf)
• G2530 Dust, Odor and Gas Control in Swine Finishing Barns Through Oil Sprinkling (pdf)
• FS925-A Understanding Livestock Odors (pdf)

Abstracts, Conference Proceedings, Presentations and Reports

• The Effect on Odor Emissions when Sprinkling Oil for Dust Control Inside Pig Buildings - Final Report (pdf)
• Evaluation of Effective Technologies to Reduce Gas and Odor Emissions from Commercial Deep-Pitted Curtain Style Finishing Buildings (pdf)
• Odor Rating System Demonstration Project U of MN

Journal Articles

Newsletter Articles

Other Links

• Section 3 Outdoor Air Quality (MWPS-18)
• AED42 Sprinkling oil to reduce dust, gases, and odor in swine buildings (pdf)
• Minimizing Odor Generation, LPES Curriculum Lesson 41 (pdf)