Adeleh Shirangi1, Lin Fritschi, C D'Arcy J Holman, Carol Bower. 1. School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia. a.shirangi@imperial.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk of birth defects in offspring of female veterinarians exposed to occupational hazards such as radiation, anesthetic gases, and pesticides in veterinary practice. METHODS: The Health Risks of Australian Veterinarians project was conducted as a questionnaire-based survey of all graduates from Australian veterinary schools during the 40-year period 1960-2000. RESULTS: In a multiple logistic regression controlling for the potential confounders, the study showed an increased risk of birth defects in offspring of female veterinarians after occupational exposure to high dose of radiation (taking more than 10 x-ray films per week, odds ratio: 5.73 95% CI: 1.27 to 25.80) and an increase risk of birth defects after occupational exposure to pesticides at least once per week (odds ratio: 2.39 95% CI: 0.99 to 5.77) in veterinarians exclusively working in small animal practice. CONCLUSION: Female veterinarians should be informed of the possible reproductive effects of occupational exposures to radiation and pesticides.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk of birth defects in offspring of female veterinarians exposed to occupational hazards such as radiation, anesthetic gases, and pesticides in veterinary practice. METHODS: The Health Risks of Australian Veterinarians project was conducted as a questionnaire-based survey of all graduates from Australian veterinary schools during the 40-year period 1960-2000. RESULTS: In a multiple logistic regression controlling for the potential confounders, the study showed an increased risk of birth defects in offspring of female veterinarians after occupational exposure to high dose of radiation (taking more than 10 x-ray films per week, odds ratio: 5.73 95% CI: 1.27 to 25.80) and an increase risk of birth defects after occupational exposure to pesticides at least once per week (odds ratio: 2.39 95% CI: 0.99 to 5.77) in veterinarians exclusively working in small animal practice. CONCLUSION: Female veterinarians should be informed of the possible reproductive effects of occupational exposures to radiation and pesticides.
Authors: Hyeyeun Lim; A J Agopian; Lawrence W Whitehead; Charles W Beasley; Peter H Langlois; Robert J Emery; Dorothy Kim Waller Journal: Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol Date: 2015-03-28
Authors: Adeleh Shirangi; Carol Bower; C D'Arcy J Holman; David B Preen; Neville Bruce Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2014-06-12 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Adeleh Shirangi; John Wright; Eve M Blair; Rosemary Rc McEachan; Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 2020-01-23 Impact factor: 5.024