Occupational exposures to antineoplastic drugs and ionizing radiation in Canadian veterinary settings: findings from a national surveillance project.
OBJECTIVE
Although veterinary workers may encounter various occupational health hazards, a national characterization of exposures is lacking in Canada. This study used secondary data sources to identify veterinary exposure prevalence for ionizing radiation and antineoplastic agents, as part of a national surveillance project.


METHODS
For ionizing radiation, data from the Radiation Protection Bureau of Health Canada were used to identify veterinarians and veterinary technicians monitored in 2006. This was combined with Census statistics to estimate a prevalence range and dose levels. For antineoplastic agents, exposure prevalence was estimated using statistics on employment by practice type and antineoplastic agent usage rates, obtained from veterinary licensing bodies and peer-reviewed literature.


RESULTS
In 2006, 7,013 (37% of all) Canadian veterinary workers were monitored for ionizing radiation exposure. An estimated 3.3% to 8.2% of all veterinarians and 2.4% to 7.2% of veterinary technicians were exposed to an annual ionizing radiation dose above 0.1 mSv, representing a total of between 536 and 1,450 workers. All monitored doses were below regulatory limits. For antineoplastic agents, exposure was predicted in up to 5,300 (23%) of all veterinary workers, with an estimated prevalence range of 22% to 24% of veterinarians and 20% to 21% of veterinary technicians.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first national-level assessment of exposure to ionizing radiation and antineoplastic agents in Canadian veterinary settings. These hazards may pose considerable health risks. Exposures appeared to be low, however our estimates should be validated with comprehensive exposure monitoring and examination of determinants across practice areas, occupations, and tasks.
University of British Columbia. amyhall@mail.ubc.ca.
Amy L
AL
Hall
Hugh W
HW
Davies
Paul A
PA
Demers
Anne-Marie
AM
Nicol
Cheryl E
CE
Peters
D017750:Animal Technicians; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D012042:Registries; D018634:Veterinarians; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
Canada; Veterinarians; antineoplastic agents; occupational exposure; radiation