title: The dust content, dust generation, ammonia production, and absorption properties of three different rodent bedding types.
abstract: Vermiculite, pine shavings and unbleached eucalyptus pulp contact bedding were compared for dust content, dust production (as a result of animal activity), moisture absorption properties and ammonia production. The percentage of dust particles <300 microm found in pine shavings and vermiculite was 18 and 8 times greater respectively than was found in eucalyptus pulp. The lowest ammonia levels (<1-1 ppm), measured on day 7, were obtained using eucalyptus pulp. Although the ammonia levels obtained for vermiculite compared very well with those of pulp, high levels of dust, up to 5 times more than pulp, were experienced with vermiculite. Pine shavings were associated with the highest ammonia concentration (1-3 ppm), but produced approximately 50% less dust than vermiculite. The water absorption properties obtained for pulp were between 35% and 76% higher than those obtained for vermiculite and pine shavings respectively.
authors.affiliation: Animal Unit G 20, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Potgieter
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Wilke
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D000641:Ammonia / Q000032:analysis*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010316:Particle Size; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D004391:Dust; D000641:Ammonia