The Effect of Different Footbath Solutions on Hoof Health

The use of formalin (37 % (w/w) formaldehyde) as a footbath solution is common in Western Europe and the US as preventative for digital dermatitis (DD) and other inter-digital skin diseases. However, formalin can cause allergies and the inhalation of formaldehyde vapors may cause membrane irritation, skin irritation, asthma and potentially sino-nasal carcinoma. If the formalin concentration gets to around 10%, the vapor from the foot bath discourages cows from passing. Formaldehyde is listed as chemical hazard in the International Hazards Datasheets on Occupation (International Labor Organization), is regulated by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (4) as a carcinogen (Standard 1910.1048) and is listed in IARC Group 2A (“probable human carcinogen”) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Other widely used hoof care solutions contain heavy metals such as copper sulfate that are harmful to the environment and can build up over time, poisoning the soil. In the UK, copper poisoning is becoming a significant issue in dairy cows (3). The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of DeLaval hoof care DA / Double Action® (DA), a product free of heavy metals and aldehyde, on the prevention of DD and heel erosio ...