An analysis of working dog exposure to environmental contaminants at the Surfside building collapse
Environmental samples collected directly from search areas where dogs are utilized have not previously been tested. These preliminary data are the first to identify chemical and microbial contaminants working dogs may come in direct contact with during search, rescue and recovery operations after a large building collapse. Generation of chemical and microbiological contaminant profiles can inform handlers of real-world risks to working dogs and better inform decontamination procedures to safeguard working dog and human health.
Authors
- Lauryn E. DeGreeff (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5549-9759)
- Eileen Jenkins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6955-6563)
- Dakota Discepolo
- Michelle Karpinsky (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8860-2406)
- Stephen Y. Liang
- Kelly S. Bender (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0025-2166)
- Erin Beth Perry
- Evan T. Marquart
Institutions
- Florida International University (US)
- Carolina Veterinary Specialists (US)
- Dermatology Specialists (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Veterinary Science
- Published
- 2026-03-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2026.1725234
- Primary Topic
- Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences
- National Institutes of Health
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences