Att. 4–Recruitment Email

[GREETING, SUCH AS GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON]

Did you know:

• Surgical smoke can contain hazardous compounds associated with cancer and respiratory irritation. Surgical smoke can be generated during tissue cauterizing during animal surgeries.

• Little to no research has looked at surgical smoke in veterinary settings and its health effects on veterinary workers.

• Surgical smoke extraction systems can reduce exposure to surgical smoke during animal surgeries.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting a research study on surgical smoke in veterinary clinical settings. NIOSH is a non-regulatory government agency that is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NIOSH conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.

[FACILITY] is collaborating in this study, and you might have the opportunity to participate.

You are eligible to participate if you:

• Have worked in a clinical veterinary setting during the past 12 months, and

• Are age 18 years old or older.

This research study will help us better understand surgical smoke at work, respiratory health effects, and use of surgical smoke controls in veterinary settings. Study components include:

1. Baseline questionnaire (~25 mins, can be completed virtually/by phone at a day/time of your convenience)

2. Post-shift questionnaire during each shift during our first 5-day site visit (~8 mins)

3. Post-shift questionnaire during each shift during our second 5-day site visit (~8 mins)

During our site visits, we will also collect area air samples during animal surgeries. This part of the study does not require any special participation by you. We will do this part of the study while you do your normal daily work.

Other important information:

• Your participation and responses are confidential.

• Final study results will not identify individual workers.

• No cost to participate other than your time.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out this 3-question form [LINKS TO EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM] to express interest in participating. A study Co-PI will then be in contact with you about next steps! [QR CODE LINKS TO EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM] (If you prefer, you may alternatively email us at iun8@cdc.gov [Dr. Fechter-Leggett] or qdk5@cdc.gov [Dr. Anderson] to express interest in participating.)

This NIOSH study titled “Occupational exposures to surgical smoke in veterinary personnel” is being led by Co-PIs, Ethan Fechter-Leggett, DVM, MPVM and Kim Anderson, PhD. Please reach out to us with any questions!

Ethan Fechter-Leggett, DVM, MPVM

Research Epidemiologist

NIOSH Respiratory Health Division

iun8@cdc.gov

304-285-6030

Kim Anderson, PhD

Research Industrial Hygienist

NIOSH Respiratory Health Division

qdk5@cdc.gov

304-285-6321

[STUDY RECRUITMENT FACT SHEET TO BE ATTACHED TO THE EMAIL]