Prevalence of hazardous exposures in veterinary practice

Abstract

All female graduates of a major U.S. veterinary school were surveyed by mailed questionnaire to obtain details of work practice and hazard exposure during the most recent year worked and during all pregnancies. Exposure questions were based on previously implicated occupational hazards which included anesthetic gases, radiation, zoonoses, prostaglandins, vaccines, physical trauma, and pesticides. The response rate was 86% (462/537). We found that practice type and pregnancy status were major determinants of hazard exposure within the veterinary profession. Small-animal practitioners reported the highest rates of exposure to anesthetic gas (94%), X-ray (90%), and pesticides (57%). Large-animal practitioners reported greater rates of trauma (64%) and potential exposure to prostaglandins (92%), Brucella abortus vaccine (23%), and carbon monoxide (18%). Potentially hazardous workplace practices or equipment were common. Forty-one percent of respondents who reported taking X-rays did not wear film badges, and 76% reported physically restraining animals for X-ray procedures. Twenty-seven percent of the respondents exposed to anesthetic gases worked at facilities which did not have waste anesthetic gas scavenging systems. Women who worked as veterinarians during a pregnancy attempted to reduce exposures to X-rays, insecticides, and other potentially hazardous exposures. Some potentially hazardous workplace exposures are common in veterinary practice, and measures to educate workers and to reduce these exposures should not await demonstration of adverse health effects.

Livestock-Handling Related Injuries and Deaths

“…People who work with animals including farmers, veterinarians, butchers, and workers in zoos and circuses are all at risk (Wiggins et al, 1989). A high-energy trauma is applied to the body as a result of attack generally by bull, horse, pig, or large dogs, possibly resulting in serious injury or death.…”

Spontaneous abortions among veterinarians

“…In the past few decades, a masked increase has occurred in the use of waste anesthetic gas scavenging units in animal clinics and hospitals in the United States (1). According to our inquiry among 12 experienced veterinarians, improvements in ventilation and anesthetic gas scavenging systems also took place in Finland during the 1980s (unpublished results).…”

“…The Finnish maximum permissible fetal dose during pregnancy is 1 mSv (100 mrem). Restraining animals during Xray procedures seems to be common (1).…”

An isolated femoral vein injury caused by bull horn

“…[3] Apart from the farmers, other people who work with the animals including veterinarians, butchers, workers in zoos and circuses are all at high risk of bull gore. [9] According to the studies, most of the victims of the bull attack are either the owner of the animals or workers who are responsible for their care. [3] Bull gore injuries are common in Latin countries because these animals are frequently used in certain shows and fests.…”