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Occupational allergy to laboratory animals: employer practices
Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|May 1, 1983
Summary
Occupational asthma from laboratory animal allergy is a recognized workplace disease. Most U.S. facilities surveyed do not screen employees for allergies, indicating a lack of uniform policy for this common occupational hazard.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Allergology
- Veterinary medicine
Background:
- Occupational asthma due to laboratory animal exposure is a growing concern.
- This condition is now a recognized prescribed disease in Britain.
- Understanding employer policies in the U.S. is crucial for addressing this issue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey current employer attitudes and policies in American institutions regarding laboratory animal allergy.
- To identify the prevalence of laboratory animal allergy as a workplace disease.
- To assess pre-employment screening practices for potential allergens.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was distributed to 155 institutions.
- Data on reported workplace diseases and pre-employment medical examinations were collected.
- Information on hypersensitivity screening and disqualification due to allergy history was compiled.
Main Results:
- Laboratory animal allergy was reported as a workplace disease by 70% of surveyed facilities.
- Rat and rabbit exposure were the most common causes.
- While most facilities required pre-employment medical exams, only a small fraction included allergy screening, and few applicants were disqualified for allergic histories.
Conclusions:
- A significant number of U.S. animal facilities recognize laboratory animal allergy as a workplace disease.
- Current pre-employment screening practices are insufficient to identify at-risk individuals.
- There is a lack of a uniform policy to manage allergy to laboratory animals in U.S. facilities.