Female Veterinarians at Higher Risk for Miscarriage

A new Australian study found that female veterinarians doubled their risk of miscarriage due to exposure to workplace hazards such as X-rays, pesticides and anesthetics.

Miscarriage has been a long known risk of breathing nitrous oxide, widely used in anesthesia. The study, conducted by the University of Western Australia, further highlights this concern.

In some countries, such as Britain, the vast majority of vets are female.  BBC News reported that health and safety rules were now very strict in the UK, and that some smaller practices avoid the hazardous anesthetic gases altogether. And Britain’s National Health Service and veterinary hospitals often use "scavenging" equipment to remove waste gases such as nitrous oxide away from staff areas.

But for many smaller practices this is impractical, and concerns remain about the short term and long-term effects of these gases on staff.

In conducting their study, the Australian researchers surveyed 2,800 veterinarians about their known exposure to anesthetic gases, pesticides and X-rays. Their analysis found the risk of miscarriage, defined as the loss of a baby before the 24th week of pregnancy, increased by approximately 250% in those exposed to "unscavenged" gases for an hour or more per week.  Vets who conducted more than five X-rays a week saw an 82% increased risk, while those using pesticides had an 88% increased risk.

Dr Adeleh Shirangi, the study’s lead researcher who now works at Imperial College London, told BBC News, "Prior to our study, there had been very little research looking at female vets’ exposures to occupational hazards and how this affects their health.

"We found that many of the vets surveyed either didn’t have the safety equipment in their practices, or they had the equipment but weren’t using it correctly.

"We hope that our research will make vets aware of the need to fully protect themselves whilst they are working, especially if they planning to have a baby."

Mark Senior, a veterinary anesthesia at the University of Liverpool, told BBC News that regulations governing exposure in the UK had become significantly tighter in recent years, with requirements in place to consistently measure levels of gases in medical and veterinary facilities.

"However, it is still an issue for practices, particularly as it is arguable that there will be high levels of gases in other areas, for example the recovery room," he said.

Senior added that many small practices that could not afford to install gas scavenging equipment had stopped using nitrous oxide altogether.  Regulations for X-ray exposure had also been strengthened, he said, requiring all staff to wear radiation measuring badges.

"The majority of vets in this country are women, and these risks are taken very seriously indeed."

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On the Net:

University of Western Australia

"Maternal Occupational Exposures and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion in Veterinary Practice"