Veterinary healthcare workers in Busan are raising alarms about radiation exposure during routine animal CT scans. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
BUSAN, Jan. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Veterinary healthcare workers in Busan are raising alarms about radiation exposure during routine animal CT scans, highlighting growing occupational safety concerns in the city’s burgeoning pet care industry.
“Unlike human patients, animals need to be physically restrained during CT scans, which means our hands are routinely exposed to radiation,” a veterinary nurse told the Busan Labor Rights Center on January 1. “As a woman in her 20s or 30s of childbearing age, I can’t help but worry about potential fertility issues due to constant radiation exposure.”
These concerns emerged from a comprehensive survey conducted by the Busan Labor Rights Center between May and October, involving 100 pet industry workers, including veterinary staff, pet groomers, and dog daycare workers.
The study comes at a crucial time for Busan, where one in four households (23.9%) owns pets, and 2,925 pet-related businesses were in operation as of 2024. The city has recently pledged 140 billion won over five years to develop as a “pet-friendly city,” drawing increased attention to working conditions in the industry.
The survey revealed widespread awareness of occupational health risks among workers. While X-ray and CT equipment are now standard in veterinary clinics, workers reported receiving no safety training for handling this equipment.
“Given that most workers in the pet care industry are young women, there are legitimate concerns about potential fertility issues,” a representative from the Busan Labor Rights Center said, emphasizing the urgent need for safety education and management protocols for veterinary staff.
The survey also identified other significant challenges facing pet care workers. When asked about their primary concerns (with multiple responses allowed), 71% cited low income, while 50% mentioned accidents and infections from handling animals. Other issues included customer harassment (47%), holiday work schedules (29%), and limited job opportunities and training (19%).
Respondents suggested several solutions for improving working conditions, with 52% emphasizing the importance of education for pet adopters and owners. They also advocated for better enforcement of labor laws (40%) and regular monitoring of working conditions (30%).
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
