Reduction of exposure to laboratory animal allergens in the workplace

Abstract

Effective reduction of exposure to animal allergens can now be achieved by the use of ventilated systems both for housing and handling rats and mice providing safety equipment is used correctly. The vacuum removal of soiled litter during the task of cleaning out was less efficient and additional respiratory protection is therefore recommended for this procedure.

Controlling Exposure to Laboratory Animal Allergens

“…This cage design has also proved effective for containing cageborne aeroallergens, thus reducing ambient room aeroallergen levels (Clough et al 1995). Gordon et al (1997b) observed reductions of 58%, 97%, and at least 99.6% in ambient room mouse urinary aeroallergens when one type of ventilated caging was operated positive, neutral, and negative to ambient room pressure, respectively, compared with conventional open top caging. Similarly, Ziemann and colleagues (1992) evaluated a different individually ventilated caging (IVC 1 ) system and found higher ambient room RUA levels during positive pressure operation (1.5 ng/m 3 ) compared with negative pressure (0.1 ng/m 3 ) and background (1.0 ng/m 3 ) (Ziemann et al 1992).…”

“…Gordon et al (1997b) reported a 95% reduction in RUA exposure when rats were handled in a ventilated cabinet compared with the open bench. In two studies that compared changing cages in a nonventilated environment versus within a portable ventilated table, the latter system reduced workers' allergen exposure by 57% (Kacergis et al 1996) and 55% (Reeb-Whitaker et al 1999).…”

“…An evaluation of the exposure associated with manual dumping of dirty bedding versus vacuum removal revealed no significant difference in the normalized total dose experienced by workers (Gordon et al 1997b). The explanation for these counterintuitive results was that although there was a 50% reduction in the intensity of allergen exposure, it took workers twice as long to remove litter with the vacuum.…”

“…As noted by Gordon et al (1997b), the improper use of safety equipment can compromise the effectiveness of engineering controls. Thus, ensuring the proper use and operation of ventilation and safety equipment is paramount.…”

Detection of mouse and rat urinary aeroallergens with an improved ELISA

“…The nature of the relationship between the level of allergen required to sensitize an individual and that to elicit symptoms in sensitized workers is presently not known. 3 Exposure assessment of animal allergens is an important stage in the risk analysis of laboratory animal work. 4 Similarly, characterization of the work environment as well as quantification and evaluation of the effectiveness of measures to control occupational allergen exposure (risk management) presuppose allergen monitoring with sensitive methods.…”