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State of NOrth Carolina ~ ~-'"~" <br />i Department of Environment, Health, and Natural R~sources <br /> Divtston of Epldemtolo~y <br /> I P.O. Box 27687 · Ra~elsh, North Carolina 27611-7657 <br /> James C~ Man,n. Govemo~ J, N. Ma¢Cormack, NLD., h'~P.H. <br /> I %~lllamW. Cobey, Jr., Sec~etmy January 4, 1991 Director <br /> <br /> }'red Pilkington, DPA, Director <br /> Cabarrue County Health Department <br /> Post Office Box 1149 <br /> I Concord, North Carolina 28025 <br /> Dear Dr. Pilkington: <br /> <br /> I Thank you for meeting us at the Cabarrus County Animal Shelter on <br /> January 3, 1991. As we expected, all involved learned something from the <br /> experience, therefore, everyone should benefit from the visit. <br />I We observed the euthanasia procedure several times and interviewed the <br /> p~ople involved. A direct reading diffusive carbon monoxide (CO) monitor and <br /> I colorimetric detector tubes were used to evaluate CO exposure to the andmL <br /> control officers during the euthanasia process. The process was observed to <br /> evaluate the humaneness of the euthanasia. <br /> <br /> I The procedure we observed was well there not <br /> done; <br /> inhumans in the euthanasia. The animals proceeded through the planes of <br /> anesthesia with little or co discomfort; ell voealisatioc appeared to be due to <br /> I anesthesia, not distress. The use of the gas, time used, and wa~ting periods <br /> were proper an~' well dona. <br /> <br /> i Several circumstances and work practices exist that are causing the chamber <br /> operator to experience short term but significant exposure to CO. Aa we <br /> discussed, we would like to make several recommendations here that may be <br /> /mplem~nted /mmediately to reduce real and potential exposure. Following this <br /> I letter, we will offer more permanent guidelines for engineering exposure <br /> control. <br /> <br /> I The floor to the "cat room" should remain closed ~uring the entire process <br /> and should not be opened until the chamber has been completely vented and the <br /> a~4-~Ls removed. Because of passive air movement and the location of the <br /> chamber relative to the "cat room" door, CO is accumulating in the "cat room" <br /> I during and after the The exhaust fan in the cat ro~m should not be <br /> process. <br /> operated during tho process aa it could cause the gas to be (lrewn into the <br /> room. The operator should enter or exit the shelter through the far end of the <br /> I b <br /> uilding, the end closest to the landfill entrance, during the euthanasia <br /> process. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br /> <br />