Chapter 14 - Measuring Ammonia

The air should be sampled at broiler level, about one foot of the ground. A hand-held sampler pump and indicator tube, or a passive tube are common sampling tools. It is important that a producer not rely on his or her sense of smell to determine ammonia levels. A person’s sense of smell will desensitize to ammonia over time. Always use a measuring device to determine levels.

Most of the instruments to measure ammonia directly can be cost prohibitive. A dragger tube to measure ammonia cost about $300, whereas the accuracy of some of the inexpensive methods is questionable. An indirect method is to use a relative humidity meter. Relative humidity should be in the range of 50-70%, but as relative humidity increases above 70% ammonia can become a problem.