Considerations in the selection and use of chemicals within the animal facility

Chemicals are important and unavoidable parameters in the milieu of the laboratory animal used in biomedical research today. Examples of chemicals used include detergents and sanitizing agents. Detergents are used to remove dirt while sanitizing compounds, such as germicidal agents, decrease bacteria, fungi or viruses in the facility. The types used (that is, phenols, alcohols, oxidizing agents) depend upon the degree of cleanliness and the sanitizing properties desired and vary for germfree, specific pathogen-free and conventional animal facilities. Chemicals are routinely added to water to control bacteria in mouse facilities. Similarly, insecticides and pesticides are used to reduce the number of vermin in animal and feed rooms. Also, the bedding may contain chemicals (that is, cedrene and cedral in red cedar shavings). These and other chemicals in the vivarium may influence enzyme induction or inhibition, may result in increased or decreased toxicity, may alter the function or metabolism of organs and can thereby alter the outcome of animal experiments.