Review of Evidence of Environmental Impacts of Animal Research and Testing
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Resources Used in Animal Research
2.1. Animals
2.2. Energy
2.3. Chemicals
In general, enclosures and accessories (e.g., cage tops) should be sanitized at least every two weeks. Solid bottom cages, water bottles and sipper tubes should usually be sanitized weekly. The supply lines of automatic watering systems should be flushed and disinfected on a regular basis.([14], p. 48)
3. Waste Production in Laboratories
4. Sources of Pollution
4.1. Air Pollution
Although emissions from incineration facilities can be smaller than emissions from other types of sources, it is important to assess incinerator emissions in the context of the total ambient concentration of pollutants in an area. In areas where the ambient concentrations are already close to or above environmental guidelines or standards, even relatively small increments can be important.[31]
4.2. Water Pollution
4.3. Soil Contamination
5. Impacts on Laboratory Workers’ Health
5.1. Laboratory Animal Allergy
5.2. Waste Anesthetic Gases (WAGs)
5.3. Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAI)
6. Biodiversity Impacts
6.1. Capture from the Wild
6.2. Genetically Modified Animals
7. Conclusions
- The use of animals, and associated chemicals and supplies, in research and testing, and their disposal in to the environment on an international level. Many animal research companies based in the U.S. have labs in other countries, including China, the Philippines, and India.
- Research and testing involving injecting or exposing animals to radioactive materials creates radioactive carcasses, feces, urine, blood, and other wastes with additional environmental concern. In addition, working with animals who have received radioactive material presents a risk to workers in labs.
- Large scale killing of animals used in research or bred for future research due to disease, facility resource constraints, funding limitations, and research demands are further examples of waste and animal disposal concerns found in the animal research industry.
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Groff, K.; Bachli, E.; Lansdowne, M.; Capaldo, T. Review of Evidence of Environmental Impacts of Animal Research and Testing. Environments 2014, 1, 14-30. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments1010014
Groff K, Bachli E, Lansdowne M, Capaldo T. Review of Evidence of Environmental Impacts of Animal Research and Testing. Environments. 2014; 1(1):14-30. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments1010014
Chicago/Turabian StyleGroff, Katherine, Eric Bachli, Molly Lansdowne, and Theodora Capaldo. 2014. "Review of Evidence of Environmental Impacts of Animal Research and Testing" Environments 1, no. 1: 14-30. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments1010014
APA StyleGroff, K., Bachli, E., Lansdowne, M., & Capaldo, T. (2014). Review of Evidence of Environmental Impacts of Animal Research and Testing. Environments, 1(1), 14-30. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments1010014