Prevalence of hazardous exposures in veterinary practice

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Occupational Health
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Occupational hazards are prevalent in veterinary medicine, impacting practitioners' health.
• Previous studies have identified anesthetic gases, radiation, zoonoses, prostaglandins, vaccines, physical trauma, and pesticides as key risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess work practice and hazard exposure among female veterinarians.
• To identify how practice type and pregnancy status influence occupational hazard exposure.

Main Methods:

• A mailed questionnaire survey was administered to female graduates of a U.S. veterinary school.
• The survey collected data on work practices and exposures during the most recent year worked and during pregnancies.
• Response rate was 86% (462/537).

Main Results:

• Practice type significantly determined hazard exposure: small-animal vets reported high exposure to anesthetic gas (94%), X-ray (90%), and pesticides (57%).
• Large-animal vets faced higher risks of trauma (64%) and exposure to prostaglandins (92%), Brucella abortus vaccine (23%), and carbon monoxide (18%).
• Hazardous practices were common, including inadequate radiation protection (41% lacked film badges) and lack of anesthetic gas scavenging systems (27%).

Conclusions:

• Potentially hazardous workplace exposures are common in veterinary practice.
• Veterinarians attempt to reduce exposures during pregnancy, but risks remain.
• Education and interventions are needed to mitigate occupational hazards in veterinary medicine, regardless of proven adverse health effects.