Public policy

Occupational chemical exposures in pregnancy and fetal growth: evidence from the Born in Bradford Study by Shirangi A, Wright J, Blair EM, McEachan RRC, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ This is the first study to show that the risk of inadequate fetal growth as measured by percentage of optimal birth weight (POBW)<85 was elevated following occupational exposures to pesticides and phthalates. Further larger studies are needed to confirm this. Employers should provide workers with adequate education about potential chemical hazards in the workplace to ensure the complete protection of all workers' reproductive health.

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Objective To use established psychological scales to measure levels of distress, anxiety and depression in veterinarians, and compare these levels between different veterinary subgroups and other professional groups. Methods A cohort of veterinarians was identified through contact with veterinary schools in Australia. Participants completed a self-reporting questionnaire that included queries about general health and demographics, psychological well-being, job-specific perceptions of health, dispositional characteristics and social support. Results Of the 2125 respondents who completed the psychological questionnaire, approximately one-third reported poor psychological health. Increasing age, increasing time in current job, increasing years since graduation and male gender was associated with fewer signs of distress, anxiety and depression. Compared with the general population, veterinarians experienced more negative emotions at work, but were similar to other professional groups. Conclusions Poor psychological health is common in the profession and professional veterinary bodies may wish to consider providing training in dealing with work-related distress, anxiety and depression.

Objectives: To determine whether exposure to physical and chemical occupational hazards and use of protective practices has changed in recent veterinary graduates, and to describe trends in exposure to occupational hazards and use of protective practices over time Methods: This paper reports on a retrospective cohort study of veterinarians who graduated from any of the four Australian veterinary schools between 1960 and 2000 and were currently in clinical practice. A self-completed postal questionnaire was used to collect personal details, professional history since graduation, and details of occupational hazards and protective practices used. The prevalence of occupational hazards and use of protective practices was examined by decade of graduation adjusting for gender, type of practice and number of hours worked. Results: After adjusting for other factors, recent graduates tended to take more X-rays than early graduates-graduates since 1990 were 2.59 times more likely to take more than 7 Xrays a week compared with graduates before 1970. Recent graduates were also more likely to personally restrain animals during X-rays but were more likely to use X-ray protection. Of those who undertook surgery, recent graduates were more likely to use anesthetic waste gas scavengers. Over time, veterinary jobs have become more likely to involve longer hours of surgery, but shorter periods of driving. The use of scavengers for waste anaesthetic gas has increased markedly over time from 3.8% of jobs commencing in the 1960s to over 70% for jobs commencing since 1997. Conclusions: This survey is, to our knowledge, the first to examine trends in the occupational health and safety practices of veterinarians. We have shown that occupational health issues are still important in veterinary practice, with most veterinarians exposed to a number of physical and chemical hazards and many using inadequate protection.

Objectives This systematic review evaluates the current epidemiological evidence on the association between living near agricultural pesticide applications and adverse reproductive outcomes, including congenital malformations, stillbirth, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), low birthweight, preterm birth and spontaneous abortions. Methods We identified and reviewed 25 studies from a systematic search of the main scientific databases and other sources published in 1950 to 2007. Study methods and main results were summarised and tabulated according to the year of study, design and type of adverse reproductive outcome. The levels of evidence for reproductive toxicity in humans contributed by each study were assessed and the main limitations associated with these studies discussed. Results Overall, there was evidence of a relationship between living near agricultural fi elds and adverse reproductive outcomes, but the strength of evidence varied between outcomes. The evidence suggested an association for the congenital malformations, but due to methodological limitations, such as poor exposure measurement and potentially inadequate control of confounding, a fi rm conclusion remains beyond reach. For the other outcomes (stillbirth, IUGR, low birthweight, preterm birth and spontaneous abortion) the evidence for any associations was equivocal at best, but some leads warrant further investigation. Conclusions Residential proximity to agricultural pesticide applications may be an important source of ambient environmental exposure, but due to the underlying methodological diffi culties the evidence for its relationship with adverse reproductive outcomes is generally weak. Improved exposure assessment methods are needed to obtain a more reliable assessment of the risks.

We examined the association of occupational exposure to handling cytotoxic drugs at work with risk of birth defects among a cohort of female veterinarians. This study is a follow up survey of 321 female participants (633 pregnancies) who participated in the Health Risks of Australian Veterinarian project. Data on pregnancies and exposure during each pregnancy was obtained by self-administered mailed questionnaire. Female veterinarians handling cytotoxic drugs during their pregnancy had a two-fold increased risk of birth defects in their offspring (RR = 2.08, 95% CI (1.05-4.15)). Results were consistent in subgroup analysis of those who graduated during the period of 1961 to 1980 (RR = 5.04, 95% CI (1.81, 14.03) and in those working specifically in small and large animal practice. There was no increased risk in the subgroup that graduated after 1980. Women with unplanned pregnancies were more likely to handle cytotoxic drugs on a daily basis (RR = 1.86, 95% CI, 1.00-3.48) and had a h...

Abstract: We examined the association of occupational exposure to handling cytotoxic drugs at work with risk of birth defects among a cohort of female veterinarians. This study is a follow up survey of 321 female participants (633 pregnancies) who participated in the Health Risks of Australian Veterinarian project. Data on pregnancies and exposure during each pregnancy was obtained by self-administered mailed questionnaire. Female veterinarians handling cytotoxic drugs during their pregnancy had a two-fold increased risk of birth defects in their offspring (RR = 2.08, 95 % CI (1.05–4.15)). Results were consistent in subgroup analysis of those who graduated during the period of 1961 to 1980 (RR = 5.04, 95 % CI (1.81, 14.03) and in those working specifically in small and large animal practice. There was no increased risk in the subgroup that graduated after 1980. Women with unplanned pregnancies were more likely to handle cytotoxic drugs on a daily basis (RR = 1.86, 95 % CI, 1.00–3.48...

Learning Objectives • Demonstrate familiarity with current knowledge on the risk of birth defects associated with radiation and other exposures among health care workers, as well as female veterinarians. • Characterize the excess risk of birth defects in female veterinarians, along with the relevant risk factors. • Present advice regarding reproductive health and measures to reduce the risk of birth defects for female veterinarians, including areas of uncertainty where further research is needed.