Environmental Health

1. Environmental Health • Right to Know Law • Not popular with most vets. • Enforcement is not routine. Usually enforcement is only done when a report/complaint is made. • If a complaint is made, you need to be in compliance.

2. Environmental Health • Legislation- Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Law (1987) • This sets up a “communication standard” between the employer and the employee regarding hazardous chemicals in the workplace. • Hazardous chemicals are those which can cause acute or chronic illness or physical damage and include flammables, corrosives, carcinogens, compressed gases, etc. (but not biological organisms)

3. Environmental Health • There are five things that a employer is required to do: 1. All hazardous chemicals must have a warning label on them. 2. Each chemical must have it own Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). This sheet includes the common names, manufacturer, symptoms of exposure, and first aid for each chemical.

4. Environmental Health 3. The employer must train the employees on the correct usage of the hazardous chemicals. 4. The employer must hang two posters explaining where the MSDS sheets are located. 5. There must be compliance documented.

5. Health Hazards in Veterinary Practice

6. Radiation Hazards • These are very well documented and include: • Dermal effects from acute exposure • Neoplasia from chronic skin exposure • Cataracts from chronic exposure • Leukemia from chronic exposure • Birth defects if fetus is exposed

7. Health Hazards in a Veterinary Practice • Radiation exposure in Veterinarians vs. MD’s Higher in vets because vets have: -More portable machines -More restraint of patient needed -Older machines (usually) -Larger animals – more energy

8. Health Hazards in a Veterinary Practice • Anesthetic Gas Hazards- this is a new concern but can increase the risk for several diseases. • Immune suppression, abortion, birth defects, cancer, pruritus, CNS problems, liver and kidney disease. • Prevention can involve: • Low leakage systems • Scavenging systems • Adequate ventilation • Air monitoring programs

9. Health Hazards in a Veterinary Practice • Drug and Health Hazards for Human Reproduction • Involve both sexes, but greater hazard for females • Toxins can cross the placenta and effect the fast growing cells of the fetus, which can not detoxify or metabolize these chemicals as well. • Toxins can also contaminate breast milk if they are lipid soluble

10. Health Hazards in a Veterinary Practice • Drug and Health Hazards for Human Reproduction • There are over 100,000 potentially toxic substances • 1,000 of those have reported teratogenic or reproductive effects • There are about 3,000 mutagenic agents, including: • Ethylene oxide • Formaldehyde • The “olden days” • Anticancer drugs

11. Health Hazards in a Veterinary Practice • Tips on the prevention of injury from hazardous chemicals • Limit exposure • Gloves, masks, and protective clothing • NOT surgical masks! • Finding non-toxic substitutes • Treat all potentially hazardous chemicals with respect • Limit employee’s exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals

12. Health Hazards in Veterinary Practice • Pesticide Hazards require the safe handling of pesticides • Pesticides are regulated by the EPA • Should be stored in their original container with their original labels and inserts • Extra-label use is not allowed. This includes mixing. • Disposal must follow state law.

13. Health Hazards in Veterinary Practice • Pesticide hazards cont… • Organophosphate and Carbamate Insecticides can cause problems with the CNS by affecting Muscarinic and Nicotinic receptors. • Prevention includes the use of protective clothing, masks and gloves • Treatment after exposure may include: • Washing the effected area with soap and water • Avoiding caustic detergents • Treatment with atropine and 2-PAM

14. MS Word File – Course Information and Policy • Did anyone download this before the file went bad? • If so, please e-mail me a copy. Thanks!

15. Health Hazards in Veterinary Practice • Physical Hazards (trauma) • Animal bites, kicks, and scratches • Excessive heat can cause lethargy, confusion, and unconsciousness. • Excessive cold which can cause confusion, disorientation, pallor, and frostbite. • Vehicle accidents which can be attributed to: • Lots of miles on poor rural roads • “Emergency” calls at all hours • Size of the car

16. Physics Problem • Car (2,000 lbs) traveling at 80 ft/sec rear-ends a truck (16,000 lbs) going 10 ft/sec. • After collision, the car is going –20 ft/sec. And the truck is going 22.5 ft/sec. • Change in car speed (jolt factor) = 100 ft/sec • Change in truck speed = 12.5 ft/sec

17. Health Hazards in Veterinary Practice • Health considerations for the female veterinarian • Physical hazards • Radiation hazards • Chemical hazards • Drug hazards • Stress • Biological hazards • JAVMA articles

18. Environmental Regulations and the Private Practitioner • Radiology Inspection - OSHA and State Regulations. • Anesthetic waste gases- OSHA regulations state they must be less then 2 ppm. • Sterilization- ethylene oxide is heavily regulated. • Formaldehyde- is also regulated. • Noise - greater then 85db (kennels are usually 95-115db) requires a hearing conservation program.

19. Environmental Regulations and the Private Practitioner • Animal Bathing and Dipping- this is regulated by OSHA and the EPA • Pesticides- EPA • Eye wash facility • Water-proof footwear • Ventilation must be away from person • Sharps and Medical Waste- regulated by the EPA and the state

20. Environmental Regulations and the Private Practitioner • Animal handling- • pre-exposure rabies immunization is important. 12 unvaccinated people exposed at a clinic can cost $18,000. • Fire- regulated by local government and OSHA • Food and Beverages- regulated by OSHA • must be free of toxic and biologically harmful substances.

21. Environmental Regulations and the Private Practitioner • General Housekeeping- regulated by OSHA • First Aid- regulated by OSHA • JAVMA 204:352-360