Chemical Safety in Animal Care, Use, and Research

Abstract

Chemical safety is an essential element of an effective occupational health and safety program. Controlling exposures to chemical agents requires a careful process of hazard recognition, risk assessment, development of control measures, communication of the risks and control measures, and training to ensure that the indicated controls will be utilized. Managing chemical safety in animal care and use presents a unique challenge, in part because research is frequently conducted in two very different environments--the research laboratory and the animal care facility. The chemical agents specific to each of these environments are typically well understood by the employees working there; however, the extent of understanding may not be adequate when these individuals, or chemicals, cross over into the other environment. In addition, many chemicals utilized in animal research are not typically used in the research laboratory, and therefore the level of employee knowledge and proficiency may be less compared with more routinely used materials. Finally, the research protocol may involve the exposure of laboratory animals to either toxic chemicals or chemicals with unknown hazards. Such animal protocols require careful review to minimize the potential for unanticipated exposures of the research staff or animal care personnel. Numerous guidelines and regulations are cited, which define the standard of practice for the safe use of chemicals. Key chemical safety issues relevant to personnel involved in the care and use of research animals are discussed.

A Novel Approach to Scavenging Anesthetic Gases in Rodent Surgery

“…(1) The use of isoflurane anesthesia is increasing in animal research due to its short duration of action, safety to the animal, and the control of anesthetic depth. There is no specific occupational exposure limit established for isoflurane; however, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that no worker should be exposed above concentrations greater than 2 parts per million (ppm) of any halogenated anesthetic agent over a sampling period not to exceed one hour.…”

Veterinary pharmacovigilance. Part 4. Adverse reactions in humans to veterinary medicinal products

“…, 1993; Park et al. , 1994; Douglas, 1995; Bryant & Mycyk, 2002; Thomann, 2003). In the EU, the assessment of operator safety is a requirement of Directive 2001/82/EC, as amended by Directive 2004/28/EC and it forms an important aspect of the dossier when marketing authorisation applications are submitted to regulatory authorities.…”

“…, 1988; Quick, 1990; Gordon & Rhodes, 1993; Moore et al. , 1993; Thomann, 2003). Aquaculture poses further dangers to veterinarians and others involved in the enterprise including diving hazards, exposure to hydrogen sulphide, electrical accidents, incidents involving ice, and sunburn (Park et al.…”

“…In general, it is the user of veterinary drugs that is potentially exposed to the products. These include the veterinary surgeon, the veterinary nurse, farmers (including fish farmers) and farm workers, and companion animal-owning members of the public (Moore et al, 1993;Park et al, 1994;Douglas, 1995;Bryant & Mycyk, 2002;Thomann, 2003). In the EU, the assessment of operator safety is a requirement of Directive 2001/82/EC, as amended by Directive 2004/28/EC and it forms an important aspect of the dossier when marketing authorisation applications are submitted to regulatory authorities.…”

Introduction

“…As Richmond and colleagues (2003) describe, the increased attention to biosecurity and potential bioterrorism, as well as research involving emerging and re-emerging diseases, has resulted in increasing questions and concerns relating to the safety of personnel in animal laboratories. Elsewhere in the issue, Thomann (2003) discusses the same type of concerns that exist relative to chemical hazards in the laboratory.…”