| Title: | "Enclosure design for flock-level, chronic exposure of birds to air contaminant mixtures" |
| Author(s): | North MA; Kinniburgh DW; Smits JEG; |
| Address: | "a Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Calgary , Calgary , Canada. b Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine , University of Calgary , Calgary , Canada" |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15376516.2017.1410742 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1537-6524 (Electronic) 1537-6516 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The objective of this study was to design an enclosure suitable for studying the ecotoxicological effects of vehicle emissions on groups of wild birds without compromising welfare. Two, adjacent enclosures sheltered from sunlight, wind and rain, were bird-proofed and wrapped with thick polyethylene sheeting. Emissions were directed into the treatment enclosure from the exhaust of a light-duty gasoline truck, using flexible, heat-proof pipe, with joins sealed to prevent leakage. During active exposure, the engine was idled for 5 h/day, 6 days/week for 4 weeks. Fans maintained positive pressure (controls) and negative pressure (treatment), preventing cross-contamination of enclosures and protecting investigators. Four sets of passive, badge-type samplers were distributed across each enclosure, measuring nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds (NO(2), SO(2) and VOCs, respectively), and were complemented by active monitors measuring VOCs and particulate matter (2.5 microm diameter, PM(2.5)). We found that the concentrations of NO(2), SO(2) and PM(2.5) were not different between treatment and control enclosures. Volatile organic compounds (e.g. benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) were approximately six times higher in the treatment enclosure than control (13.23 and 2.13 microg m(-1), respectively). In conclusion, this represents a successful, practical design for studying the effects of sub-chronic to chronic exposure to realistic mixtures of vehicle exhaust contaminants, in groups of birds. Recommended modifications for future research include a chassis dynamometer (vehicle treadmill), to better replicate driving conditions including acceleration and deceleration" |
| Keywords: | "Air Pollutants/analysis/*toxicity Animals Environmental Monitoring/instrumentation/*methods Equipment Design *Models, Theoretical Particle Size *Research Design *Starlings Vehicle Emissions/analysis/*toxicity Air pollution VOCs experimental avian exposure;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineNorth, Michelle A Kinniburgh, David W Smits, Judit E G eng England 2017/11/29 Toxicol Mech Methods. 2018 May; 28(4):293-301. doi: 10.1080/15376516.2017.1410742. Epub 2017 Dec 7" |
