[Working environment in Danish veterinary clinics]

Occupational health risks to veterinary personnel have been recognized in other countries. We have investigated the situation in Denmark by use of a questionnaire sent to 654 veterinarians identified through telephone books. Seventy-one percent responded. Two-thirds used inhalational anaesthesia; one-half had noticed the smell of gas, mostly one to four times per week, others even more frequently. Room ventilation existed in 85% of the clinics, local exhaust in 68% of those using anaesthetic gases. Eighty-one percent worked with X-rays, almost all using lead aprons, 83% lead gloves; two-thirds always carried film badges, the rest only occasionally; 4.4% had shown exposure within the last five years. One half applied insecticides two-thirds frequently other powders, creams or ointments. Almost everybody applied antibiotics, one-fourth local analgesics. Eighty-eight percent wore gloves in various contexts, though only 5% wore gloves consistently on animal contact. In conclusion, occupational hazards are identified, with obvious possibilities for improvements at reasonable costs.