Denmark: Air filtration with UV light to protect pigs
Danish pig research centre SEGES is working on a new type of ventilation filter with UV light which appears to keep airborne viruses away from the pig house.
In a news article on the SEGES website, it is described how incoming air will pass through a chemical filter which is being illuminated by ultraviolet (UV) light. That procedure can kill the viruses in the air, according to SEGES – so the air entering the barn will be clean. As a result the animals will not be exposed to diseases like swine influenza or Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).
Developing a prototype for pig houses
According to SEGES, positive results were achieved at laboratory levels. The next step will be to develop a prototype for trying in practice. A potential 3rd step would be mass production.
SEGES said the filter is cheap, functioning well and constitutes a good alternative to current filtration technologies in pig houses. In the research, SEGES is cooperating with the University of Copenhagen, the Danish Technological Institute as well as livestock equipment manufacturer Skov.
Innovation fund contributing
In a news article on the SEGES website, it is explained that airborne diseases cannot be completely prevented by ordinary hygiene measures. An innovation fund has granted DKK 9.5 million (€ 1.3 million) for the project.
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