Faculty of Science & Health
Dublin City University
Code of Practice on the Control of
Laboratory Animal Allergies
Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
Contents
1 Introduction
2
2 What is Laboratory Animal Allergy
2
3 How the Allergy Develops
2
4 The Symptoms of Laboratory Animal Allergy
2
5 Controlling the Problem
3
6 Personal Protective Equipment
3
7 Occupational Health Monitoring
5
8 Action In The Event of a suspected LAA
6
9 Summary
7
10 Documents on which this Code of Practice is Based
7
Appendix 1: Management of Laboratory Animal Allergy in DCU
8
Appendix 2: Medical Questionnaires
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
1. Introduction
Currently in DCU the management of Laboratory Animal Allergies is based around the wearing of
personal protective equipment, information provided to relevant staff and the informal monitoring of
symptoms by facility managers. The purpose of this document is to regularise the management of this
issue in DCU such that the risk it poses to relevant personnel is reduced to as low a level as is
reasonably practicable.
2. What is Laboratory Animal Allergy (LAA)?
LAA is an allergic reaction, which may develop as a result of repeated exposure to laboratory animals.
Up to 44% of people who regularly work with small mammals and insects develop allergic reactions to
proteins secreted in their urine, dander, or excreta. Usually this only causes annoying symptoms such
as an itchy nose or watering eyes but in up to 10% of those affected serious diseases like asthma can
occur.
All persons working with laboratory animals are at risk, even if allergy has never been a problem
before. The risk is not confined to animal care personnel. Researchers, maintenance staff and anyone
involved in the handling of waste materials from animal laboratories can be affected. Someone who
already has asthma or a history of allergic conditions like hay fever or eczema are at greater risk but
anyone working with laboratory animals could develop LAA.
3. How the allergy develops
Allergenic material becomes airborne whenever animals move around in their cages or are handled.
Minute particles of soiled bedding, skin and droplets of urine become airborne (aeroallergens) and can
remain suspended in the air for some time after. These are then breathed in or settle on exposed skin
and clothing during work. In addition, many rodent species pass urine freely. Contamination of skin
with allergenic material is inevitable unless protective clothing is worn during handling of animals and
their bedding. In some people, allergens absorbed across the lining of the lung, or through breaches in
the skin, then stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies which will trigger an allergic reaction
whenever subsequent exposure to the allergen occurs, even if at very low levels
The development of such allergic sensitisation appears to be linked more to peak rather than
cumulative exposure, so even exposures of 1 - 2 hours per month can be dangerous if it involves high
exposure work. The repeated simple handling of animals can generate a high exposure.
4. The symptoms of laboratory animal allergy
Many of the symptoms are similar to those of hay fever. These include sneezing and runny nose
(rhinitis), itchy and watering eyes (conjunctivitis), and less commonly itchy skin rash similar to a nettle
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
rash (urticaria). Coughing, tightness of the chest and wheezing (asthma) can also occur. Very rarely,
acute collapse (anaphylaxis) can follow a bite or a needle stick injury.
It is important that symptoms of rhinitis and conjunctivitis are recognised and reported to the manager
of the facility at an early stage so that measures can be taken to reduce the possibility of asthma
developing subsequently.
Most people who suffer from LAA develop symptoms within a 2 year period and usually within 6
months of starting work. Occasionally however, symptoms can occur for the first time after several
years of exposure.
5. Controlling the problem
The ventilation systems in animal houses are designed to contain and remove aeroallergens, but they
can only reduce and not eliminate contact with them. Ventilation provides no protection against direct
skin contact with allergenic material from handling.
Effective control relies on the use of protective clothing and work practices designed to reduce
exposure times and amounts. If recommended work practices are followed and recommendations and
rules on the use of protective clothing and equipment are complied with, the risk of developing
allergies will substantially reduce.
6. Personal Protective Equipment
The selection and the correct use of appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is essential to
reducing worker exposure to animal allergens. The selection of suitable PPE is based on the nature of
the work being undertaken and the consequential generation and anticipated risk of exposure to
animal allergens.
Working with laboratory animals or in animal holding facilities is, for the purposes of PPE selection,
broken down into three types dependent on the risk / exposure (see Table 1).
Howie style laboratory coats or upper body scrubs with full length sleeves should be worn at all times
in animal holding facilities. These laboratory coats / scrubs should be kept exclusively for animal work.
Basic hygiene precautions must be adhered to at all times with respect to protective clothing. Scrubs
or lab coats which are free from contamination with animal hair, soiled bedding, blood, faeces, urine or
other fluids may be worn in areas where food and drink is consumed. Scrubs or lab coats which are
known or suspected to be contaminated with animal hair, soiled bedding, blood, faeces, urine or other
fluids must not be worn in any areas where food and drink is consumed.
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
Table 1. Risk Categorisation of Animal Handling / Animal Facility Operations
Category
Typical Activities
Required PPE
High Risk
 The following processes if carried out  Full set of full body
outside of laminar flow workstations:
scrubs
o Cleaning / scraping out animal
 Disposable gloves
cages
 Respiratory protection
o Repeated cage transfer activities
 Good personal hygiene
o Repeated animal immunisations
practises
o All dry shaving of animals
o Repeated handling of soiled
animal bedding
o Repeated weaning activities
o Any activity that involves the
repeated handling of animals or
animal products where there is a
risk of large amounts of airborne
particles being created
Medium Risk  Single physical contact process /
 Full upper body (neck to
events excluding dry shaving
waist and arms) skin
 Animal feeding activities
and leg coverage, e.g.
 Any process preformed in laminar
closed Howie coat with
flow work station
trousers; full set of
 Any activity where there is a risk of
complete body scrubs;
airborne particles being created but
etc.
not in large amounts – as assessed
 Disposable gloves
by facility management or their
 Good personal hygiene
nominee.
practises
Low Risk
 Non contact activities e.g. animal
 Full upper body (neck to
observations; walking through facility,
waist and arms) skin
etc
coverage, e.g. closed
 Any activity where there is little or no
Howie coat; full set of
risk of airborne particles being
complete body scrubs;
created – as assessed by facility
etc.
management or their nominee.
 Disposable gloves when
handling animals
 Good personal hygiene
practises
These PPE requirements apply to those persons who have not been previously diagnosed with any
Laboratory Animal Allergy. Persons known to suffer any such allergy must consult with their manager
and the University Safety Office before carrying out any of the high or medium risk activities outlined
above.
When animals or their soiled bedding is to handled then disposable gloves must be worn.
The aim of protective clothing and gloves is to eliminate or minimise direct skin contact between the
animals and their bedding and persons working with the animals. In this regard the wearing of clothing
which does not substantially cover the wearer’s legs or arms in animal handling facilities is not
recommended. In the event that direct skin contact is made between a persons’ skin and an animal /
animal product this must be followed immediately by the washing of the affected area.
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
Suitable respiratory protection must be worn when engaged in any high risk activity, i.e any activity
where there is the potential to generate large amounts of airborne allergens. This is vital to ensure
minimal exposure to and inhalation of animal allergens. It should be noted here that the inhalation of
animal allergens generates a significant risk of developing an allergic reaction in exposed persons. A
number of different types of respiratory protection are suitable for use in protecting against airborne
animal allergies. Whatever type is used it must conform to a relevant EN standard (e.g. EN140 for half
face masks; EN149 for disposable masks; etc). The two main types of respiratory protection that may
be used on a regular basis are:

Disposable masks: If wearing this type of mask then persons will require suitable training and
will require a fit test to ensure that the type of mask selected for use achieves a suitable seal
around the users face. This can be arranged by the University Safety Office. This type of mask
may not suitable for persons with facial hair. Persons with facial hair may be required to use a
half face mask or may need to use a suitable material to seal the mask to the face through the
facial hair.

A half face mask: Persons wearing these types of masks will again require fit testing and
training in the correct use of the mask selected. These masks are suitable for persons with
facial hair.
Persons sensitised may be advised by the Health Risk Management Specialist to wear a different type
of mask or respirator which will provide additional protection.
7. Health Risk Monitoring (Health Surveillance)
As part of the risk assessment requirements of the Biological Agents Regulations the University must
ensure that persons working in or planning to utilise animal holding facilities are subjected to ongoing
health surveillance. Persons who continue to work with laboratory animals will have their health
regularly monitored by the University Health Risk Management Service. The purpose of this health
surveillance is to protect the health of individual workers and to assist in the evaluation of control
measures.
The role of the health risk management service in health surveillance for Laboratory Animal Allergy is
to:
i.
Assess the health of employees who will be involved in animal work.
ii.
Periodically monitor the health of existing workers in order to identify any problems at an early
stage. The health risk specialist will then be able to advise the worker and management of any
necessary changes to minimise any risk to the worker’s health.
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
iii.
Encourage any worker who has work related health concerns to self refer to the University
Health Risk Management Service via the Health & Safety Office.
As part of the LAA assessment process all relevant personnel will be required initially to complete an
allergy assessment questionnaire and a spirometry test. This will set a baseline for each individual.
Following on from this, individuals will be subject to initial review in six weeks and questionnaire
assessment biennially. A copy of the allergy questionnaire is attached.
In the event that any of the medical tests or questionnaires raise any concerns then further testing of
the individual may be required. The purpose of this further testing will be to ensure that the health of
the individual is not being affected by their work with or around lab animals and that adequate
exposure control and treatment measures can be identified as necessary.
It should be noted that no specific medical information gathered as part of this assessment will be
disclosed to management. The Health Risk Management Specialist will simply provide management
with a statement of fitness and advise work modifications when these may be beneficial to the health
of the individual concerned. The Manager of the Bio resource Unit will on an annual basis provide a
list of users of the unit to the The Health Risk Management Service. This will facilitate cross checking
of currency of their health surveillance assessments.
8. Action in the event of suspected LAA
Ant staff member / researcher who suspects that they are suffering from a LAA (e.g. if they develop a
cough or wheeze) should contact the manager of the Bioresource facility and/or the Health and Safety
Office to arrange an immediate consultation with the Health Risk Management Service. In such
circumstances the Health Risk Management Service may advise a temporary cessation of certain
tasks until further tests have been conducted.
9. Summary
a. Staff / Researchers who work directly with or handle live laboratory animals will need to be
subjected to a monitoring regime to asses their condition with regard to LAA
b. This will involve completing a questionnaire and some simple medical tests as outlined above.
This service is provided free to the individual by DCU and it is confidential.
c. Medical surveillance is designed to minimize the risks to staff / researchers from laboratory
animal allergy. It also helps the manager of the Bioresource facility to ensure adequate control
measures are implemented that help minimize the risk.
Individuals will be recalled biennially for on going medical surveillance or more frequently if
required. Immediate assessment will be provided if an individual reports any of the symptoms of
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
laboratory animal allergy. The cooperation of all Bioresource Facility Users is essential in
minimizing the risk by wearing personal protective equipment (gloves, lab coat and mask) and
following good hygiene practices.
10. Documents on which this code of practice is based

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 1994/1998

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations 2001

‘Working safely with research animals’ Health and Safety Executive 1997

‘Control of animal allergy’ Guidance note EH76 Health and Safety Executive 2002

Codes of practice and guidance issued by UK universities (Exeter, Imperial, Sussex, York)

Nicholson, P. J. Mayho G. V,. Roomes, D , Swann A. B, Blackburn B. S. (2010) Health surveillance of workers exposed to laboratory animal allergens Journal of
Occupational Medicine No.60:pp591–597
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
Appendix 1: Management of Laboratory Animal Allergy in DCU
Baseline allergy testing will be performed for all relevant persons
commencing the surveillance programme
All persons will undergo initial annual health surveillance
to include, spirometry testing and questionnaire
assessment
Spirometry testing and questionnaire will be completed biennially
Biennially
review
The Health Risk Management Specialist will review all
results/questionnaires
Normal results
No action required
Changes noted from review
Action required
Further investigation required,
e.g. Health Risk Management review, blood tests,
specialist consultant review, workplace assessment, etc
Report from Health Risk
Management Service to line
manager re fitness to work
Fitness to work with no modification
of working conditions confirmed
Employee fit to continue work
Increased frequency of
medical assessment of
identified condition
Consultation with employee and
identification of additional exposure
control measures (if possible)
Modification of working conditions
(if possible) required
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Appendix 2: Medical Questionnaires
Skin Surveillance Questionnaire
Employee details
Surname
Forename
DOB
Contact phone no
Address
Staff ID No
Department
Company
If answer to any of the following questions is yes please give details including frequency and dates
Do you suffer from or have you ever had
1. Have you ever suffered from
Yes
No
Please give details
Eczema/dermatitis
Psoriasis
Other skin problem
2. Do you suffer from dry or chapped skin?
3. Do you suffer from acne?
4. Have you ever suffered from bad dandruff/or scalp problems?
5. Have you ever suffered from
blisters on the sides of your fingers
excessive palm sweating
6. Have you noticed any change in the colour of any areas of your skin?
7. Were you ever treated for any skin condition?
8. Have you ever had skin testing for allergies or skin disease?
9. Can you wear woollen clothing?
10. Did you ever develop a RASH from
Cosmetics
perfume
jewellery
medications
11. Do any of the following run in your family?
Allergies
Asthma
Hay fever
Eczema
12. Do you have to wash your hands frequently at work?
13. Do you use gloves at work?
14. Tick which types of glove you use
Rubber □
Latex
□
Vinyl
□
15. Do you have problems in relation to your glove usage?
16. Do you use skin creams regularly at work?
17. Have you had skin problems/rashes that are related to any substance you
were exposed to in a previous job?
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18. Were you allergic or sensitised to any substance in a previous job?
19. Do you have hobbies that involve skin contact with chemicals?
Signed ___________________________________________
Date____________________________
RESPIRATORY QUESTIONNAIRE
Employee details
Surname
Forename
DOB
Contact phone no
Address
Staff ID No
Department
Company
If answer to any of the following questions is yes please give details including frequency and dates
Yes
No
Please give details
1. Do you usually cough for certain periods of the morning, day or
night?
If answered YES, please answer question 1.a and 1.b
a. Do you cough on most days for as much as three months of the year?
b. For how many years have you had this cough?
2. Do you usually bring up phlegm from your chest in the morning,
day or night?
If answered YES, please answer question 2.a and 2.b
a. Do you bring up phlegm on most days for as much as three months per
year?
b. For how many years have you brought up phlegm?
3. Does your chest every feel tight or your breathing difficult?
4. Do you have shortness of breath when hurrying on level ground or
walking on a slight hill?
If answered YES, please answer question 4.a, 4.b and 4.c
a. Do you get short of breath walking on level ground with people of your
own age?
b. Do you have to stop for breath while walking on level ground at your
own pace?
c. Do you become short of breath while washing or dressing?
5. Does your breathing ever whistle or sound wheezy?
If answered YES, please answer question 5.a
a. For how many years has your breathing sounded this way?
6. Do you have asthma?
If answered YES, please answer question 6.a and 6.b
a. How old were you when asthma started?
b. Do you take any medications for asthma?
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
7. Do you have any allergies other than drug allergies?
If answered YES, please answer question 7.a and 7.b
a. Have you ever been skin tested for allergies?
b.
Yes
No
Please give details
8. Have you had pneumonia?
Have you had tuberculosis?
Have you had bronchitis/emphysema?
Have you had hay fever/sinusitis?
If you get a cold does is usually go to your chest?
Have you had chest illnesses that have kept you off work or in
bed for a week or more?
Have you had sarcoidosis?
Have you ever coughed up blood?
9. Has a doctor ever told you that something was wrong with your
chest x-ray?
If answered YES, please answer question 9.a
a. When did a doctor tell you that something was wrong with your chest xray (day/month/year)?
(If you do not know exact day, please provide month and year or just
)
10. Have you ever worked, or do you now work, with irritant
chemicals or gases?
If answered YES, please answer question 10a and 10b
a. For how many years?
b. Do you feel that the materials you work around affect your breathing?
If you answered YES to question 10.b, what are they?
Please list materials
11. Have you ever worked, or do you now work around dust, fumes,
smoke, gases or chemicals?
If answered YES, please answer question 11.a, 11.b, 11.c and 11.d
a. Have you ever worked, or do you now work in a foundry, mine or
quarry?
If YES, for how many years?
b.Have you ever worked, or do you now work, in sandblasting?
If YES, for how many years?
c. Have you ever worked, or do you now work, with asbestos?
If YES, for how many years?
d. Have you ever worked in, or do you now work in, a textile mill that
produces cotton dust?
If YES, for how many years?
12. Within the past 6 months, have you had an itchy, runny or sore
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
nose while at work?
If answered YES, please answer question 12.a and 12.b
a. When you are NOT at work, do these nose symptoms
Stay the same, get better or get worse?
b. How often do you have these nose symptoms?
Daily, Several times a week, Once a week or less than once a week
(<once)
Yes
No
Please give details
13. Within the past month, have you had an itchy or sore throat while
at work?
If answered YES, please answer question 13.a and 13.b
a. When you are NOT at work, do these throat symptoms
Stay the same, get better or get worse?
b. How often do you have these throat problems?
Daily, several times a week, once a week or less than once a week
(<once)
14. Within the past month, have you experienced frequent sneezing
bouts whilst at work?
If answered YES, please answer question 14.a and 14.b
a. When you are NOT at work, does your sneezing
Stay the same, get better or get worse?
b. How often do you have these sneezing problems?
Daily, several times a week, once a week or less than once a week
(<once)
15. Within the past month, have you had itchy, runny or burning eyes
while at work?
If answered YES, please answer question 15.a and 15.b
a. When you are NOT at work, do these eye symptoms
Stay the same, get better or get worse?
b. How often do you have these sneezing symptoms?
Daily, several times a week, once a week or less than once a week
(<once)
16. Are you a CIGARETTE smoker?
If NEVER a cigarette smoker, go to question 17
If EX-CIGARETTE smoker, answer questions a, b, c and d
If CURRENT cigarette smoker, answer questions a and b
a. If you are a current or ex-cigarette smoker, at what age did you
begin?
b. If you are a current or ex-cigarette smoker, how many cigarettes
did/do you smoke per day?
c. If you are an ex-cigarette smoker, at what age did you stop?
d. Did you stop within the last 12 months?
- stopped over a year ago
- stopped within last 12 months
17. Are you a PIPE smoker?
If NEVER a pipe smoker, go to question 18
If EX-PIPE smoker, answer questions a, b, c and d
If CURRENT PIPE smoker, answer questions a and b
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Code Of Practice On The Control Of Laboratory Animal Allergies
a. If you are a current or ex-pipe smoker, at what age did you begin?
b. If you are a current or ex-pipe smoker, how many ounces did/do you
smoke per day?
c. If you are an ex- pipe smoker, at what age did you stop?
d. Did you stop within the last 12 months?
- stopped over a year ago
- stopped within last 12 months
18. Are you a CIGAR smoker?
If NEVER a cigar smoker, go to question 18
If EX-CIGAR smoker, answer questions a, b, c and d
If CURRENT cigar smoker, answer questions a and b
a. If you are a current or ex-cigar smoker, at what age did you begin?
b. If you are a current or ex-cigar smoker, how many ounces did/do you
smoke per day?
c. If you are an ex-cigar smoker, at what age did you stop?
d. Did you stop within the last 12 months?
- stopped over a year ago
- stopped within last 12 months
Physical examination
Employee details
Surname
Forename
DOB
Contact phone no
Address
Staff ID No
Department
Company
General comments (colour/ respiratory rate/ distress/clubbing etc)
Chest expansion:
Percussion of chest:
Auscultation of chest:
Other comments:
Spirometry result:
Examination of skin:
Scalp:
Face:
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Trunk:
Lower limbs:
Feet:
Upper limbs:
Hands:
Nail beds
Assessment:
Recommendation:
Review on:
____________________________
Signature:
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