OSI provides Laboratory Animal Allergen (LAA) services.
March 27, 2019
Occupational Services, Inc. provides Laboratory Animal Allergen (LAA) services designed to support clients in the prevention of health effects contributed to exposure to LAA. Up to 40% of people newly exposed to lab animal allergens (allergy causing agent) develop some sort of allergic response after 2-3 years. Serious symptoms of asthma are developed by approximately 10 percent of those who work with laboratory animals (Goodno and Stave, 2002).
Goodno LE, Stave GM., Primary and secondary allergies to laboratory animals, J Occup Environ Med. 2002 Dec;44 (12):1143-52.
Companies with animal facilities (vivarium) are required to control animal allergen exposure and therefore, need to verify if control measures are implemented appropriately and ensure that safe working practices are followed by everyone. Conducting appropriate risk assessments, designing and constructing sufficient facilities, and using well-designed occupational EHS management systems are essential.
Occupational Services, Inc.‘s Laboratory Animal Allergen services include:
Risk Assessments
Occupational Services, Inc. can conduct qualitative Industrial Hygiene assessments to identifying potential sources of LAA exposures, including a review of facility design and current LAA control measures.
Laboratory Animal Allergen (LAA) Occupational Hygiene Monitoring
Occupational Services, Inc. can develop laboratory animal allergen monitoring plans, coordinate survey events, sample analysis, interpret monitoring data, and verify control measures.
Occupational Hygiene Monitoring can be conducted as part of a facility risk assessment which will identify precautions for work activities in the animal facility and verify if exposure risks have been controlled.
Measuring Exposure
There is currently no regulatory guidance for the control of airborne laboratory allergens. As sensitizing substances, exposure to such materials should be reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.
The main, but not the only, sources of animal allergens include urine, fur, dander, saliva, droppings, and serum. While this particular guidance applies to a subset of allergens, namely rat / mouse urinary proteins, all potential allergen sources should be considered when constructing exposure controls.
Evidence appearing in the peer-reviewed scientific literature (Gordon and Preece, 2003) suggested that the risk of workplace sensitization begins to increase at >5 ng/m3. This guidance is indicative, to enable assessment of exposure control effectiveness. There is no standardized method for the measurement of animal allergens, however, the Occupational Services, Inc. preferred approach utilizes validated immunoassay methods that have been developed to quantify exposure to rat and mouse allergens in urine.
Gordon S, Preece R. Prevention of Laboratory Animal Allergy, Occupational Medicine, 2003, Vol. 53 No. 6, pp 371- 377.
Guidance and Technical Support
Occupational Services, Inc. can provide guidance and training on the assessment, risk management and control of exposure to LAA. This can be used to formulate ‘best management practices’ which establish safe working practices. In addition, Occupational Services, Inc. can provide technical support for questions on risk assessments, monitoring airborne levels of allergens, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including respiratory protective equipment (RPE), and RPE fit testing.