Radiation safety practices among Canadian equine veterinary workers during diagnostic procedures with portable X-ray equipment.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to report observed radiation safety practices among equine workers using portable X-ray units at 3 veterinary practices in Canada. Practice 1 was comprised of equine field service workers from an academic institution, whereas Practices 2 and 3 were comprised of workers from private equine referral practices. Out of 2969 exposure-worker observations, protective aprons were worn for > 99% (2968/2969), thyroid shields for 87% (2584/2969), and eyeglasses for 10% (310/2969). The cassette was held by hand for 97% (1078/1114) of observations, and the X-ray unit was held by hand for 100% (1293/1293) of observations. Gloves were used for 54% (606/1114) and < 1% (5/1293) of observations involving cassette holders and X-ray tube operators, respectively. Use of gloves was more frequent among technologists than DVMs ( = 0.004), and among workers in Practices 1 and 3 than in Practice 2 ( 99 % (2968/2969), des écrans thyroïdiens pour 87 % (2584/2969) et des lunettes pour 10 % (310/2969). La cassette a été tenue à la main pour 97 % (1078/1114) des observations et l’unité de radiographie a été tenue à la main pour 100 % (1293/1293) des observations. Des gants ont été utilisés pour 54 % (606/1114) et < 1 % (5/1293) des observations impliquant des porteurs de cassette et des opérateurs de tubes à rayons X, respectivement. L’utilisation de gants était plus fréquente chez les technologues que chez les vétérinaires ( = 0,004) et chez les travailleurs des Pratiques 1 et 3 que ceux de la Pratique 2 ( < 0,001). En conclusion, étant donné que les travailleurs tiennent généralement des cassettes et des tubes à rayons X à la main, une amélioration de l’utilisation du blindage est nécessaire. Il faudrait tenir compte des recommandations de comportement spécifiques dans les réglementations relatives aux rayonnements.(Traduit par D Serge Messier).
Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Publication Date: 2021-04-20 PubMed ID: 33867546PubMed Central: PMC7953936
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article provides an investigation into the radiation safety practices used by Canadian equine veterinary professionals using portable X-ray machines across three different practice types. Emphasizing adequate protective gear use and handling processes, the study reveals that improvements should be made for increased worker safety.
Study Objective and Methodology
- The objective of the research was to evaluate the radiation safety practices of equine workers using portable X-ray equipment.
- The research included observations from three different working environments; Practice 1 constituted equine field service workers from an academic institution, and Practices 2 and 3 included workers from private equine referral practices.
Observations and Findings
- The study observed workers’ practices and protective gear use during X-ray procedures, gathering data from 2969 exposure-worker observations.
- Out of those observed, over 99% of workers wore protective aprons, 87% used thyroid shields, but only 10% used protective eyeglasses.
- For the handling of equipment, the cassette was manually held in 97% of the instances, and the X-ray unit was held by hand in all observations.
Protective Gear Use: Gloves
- Gloves were a notable point of discussion as their usage varied – 54% of cassette holders used gloves, but only less than 1% of X-ray tube operators did.
- Glove usage was more common among technologists than doctors or veterinarians, and also among workers in Practices 1 and 3 compared to Practice 2.
Research Conclusions and Recommendations
- The research concluded that there is a necessity for improvements in shielding use, given that workers generally handle cassettes and X-ray tubes by hand.
- The article also suggests that current radiation regulation should consider incorporating specific behavior recommendations to enhance radiation safety practices in veterinary settings.
Cite This Article
APA
Belotta AF, Mayer MN, Waldner CL, Robinson K, Sidhu N, Carmalt J, Bell CD, Koehncke NK.
(2021).
Radiation safety practices among Canadian equine veterinary workers during diagnostic procedures with portable X-ray equipment.
Can Vet J, 62(4), 349-356.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
- Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
- Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
- Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
- Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
- Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
- Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
- Departments of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Belotta, Mayer) and Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Waldner, Robinson, Carmalt), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; British Columbia Cancer, 1215 Lethbridge Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7E9 (Sidhu); Elders Equine Veterinary Service, 2911 Lido Plage Road, Cartier, Manitoba R4K 1A5 (Bell); Department of Medicine, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5 (Koehncke).
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Canada
- Fluoroscopy
- Horses
- Occupational Exposure
- Radiography
- X-Rays
References
This article includes 11 references
- Widmer WR, Shaw SM, Thrall DE. Effects of low-level exposure to ionizing radiation: Current concepts and concerns for veterinary workers.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 1996;37:227–239.
- Environmental Health Directorate Health Protection Branch. Radiation Protection in Veterinary Medicine: Recommended safety procedures for installation and use of veterinary X-ray equipment. [Last accessed February 16, 2021];Safety Code 28. 1991 Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/radiation/radiation-protection-veterinary-medicine-recommended-safety-procedures-installation-use-veterinary-equipment-safety-code-28.html.
- Tyson R, Smiley DC, Pleasant RS, Daniel GB. Estimated operator exposure for hand holding portable X-ray units during imaging of the equine distal extremity.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2011 Mar-Apr;52(2):121-4.
- Ellis KL, Morton AJ, Hernandez JA, Winter MD. Radiation exposure to personnel obtaining equine appendicular radiographs using a handheld generator.. J Equine Vet Sci 2019;73:70–74.
- Surjan Y, Ostwald P, Milross C, Warren-Forward H. Radiation safety considerations and compliance within equine veterinary clinics: Results of an Australian survey.. Radiography 2015;21:224–230.
- Albi E, Cataldi S, Lazzarini A, Codini M, Beccari T, Ambesi-Impiombato FS, Curcio F. Radiation and Thyroid Cancer.. Int J Mol Sci 2017 Apr 26;18(5).
- Milacic S. The incidence of malignant neoplasms in individuals working in areas of ionizing radiation in hospitals.. J BUON 2008 Jul-Sep;13(3):377-84.
- Völzke H, Werner A, Wallaschofski H, Friedrich N, Robinson DM, Kindler S, Kraft M, John U, Hoffmann W. Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005 Aug;90(8):4587-92.
- McCambridge J, Witton J, Elbourne DR. Systematic review of the Hawthorne effect: new concepts are needed to study research participation effects.. J Clin Epidemiol 2014 Mar;67(3):267-77.
- Chodick G, Bekiroglu N, Hauptmann M, Alexander BH, Freedman DM, Doody MM, Cheung LC, Simon SL, Weinstock RM, Bouville A, Sigurdson AJ. Risk of cataract after exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation: a 20-year prospective cohort study among US radiologic technologists.. Am J Epidemiol 2008 Sep 15;168(6):620-31.
- Stewart FA, Akleyev AV, Hauer-Jensen M, Hendry JH, Kleiman NJ, Macvittie TJ, Aleman BM, Edgar AB, Mabuchi K, Muirhead CR, Shore RE, Wallace WH. ICRP publication 118: ICRP statement on tissue reactions and early and late effects of radiation in normal tissues and organs--threshold doses for tissue reactions in a radiation protection context.. Ann ICRP 2012 Feb;41(1-2):1-322.
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Koehncke N. Occupational health hazards in veterinary oncology practice. Can Vet J 2025 Sep;66(9):1016-1019.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
