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Occupational Health and Safety Information Sheet - Dust Allergy and Laboratory Animal Allergy

Occupational Health and Safety Issues - Information Sheet No. 8

Background

Monash has a moral and legal obligation to provide all employees with a workplace that is as healthy and safe as possible. Many employees and post-graduate students are exposed to laboratory animals, organic dusts and insects which have the potential to cause allergies. The problem of laboratory animal allergy and allergy to insects and organic dusts (LAA & IODA) is a very common one requiring effective management strategies.

Based on a questionnaire undertaken at Monash University in 1991 and a review of the relevant literature, about 20 to 30 percent of staff and post-graduate students exposed to the above materials develop allergy symptoms of some sort.

These allergy symptoms may involve:

  1. the skin with rashes and itchiness;
  2. the eyes with watering and redness;
  3. the upper respiratory tract with sneezing, dry and sore throats;
  4. the lower respiratory tracts with asthma-like symptoms and a cough.

With continuing exposure, symptoms typically increase in severity and are less likely to resolve when exposure ceases. This is particularly serious if asthma symptoms develop.

Prevention

The following is intended to act as a guide for departments and staff working where (LAA & IODA) is a potential problem. Specific advice and guidance can be obtained from Occupational Health and Safety.

Physical Facilities

The facilities for the storage of animals and insects and where material which produces organic dust is handled, should be appropriate for the work that is performed. Poorly designed facilities and work practices, with excessive dust and allergen generation, can increase the likelihood of symptoms developing and their severity. Suitable extraction systems and ventilation may be necessary to control exposure to dust and airborne allergens. Consideration should be given to the number of cages and animals housed in a particular area; the types of cages and bedding; limiting access to the animal housing areas; and the ventilation system and the maintenance of this with particular consideration of the types of filters and frequency of changing or cleaning.

Work Practices

Work practices play a key part in the amount of allergenic material released to the environment. Techniques, including wet cleaning, should be used to minimize dust generation. The way that animals are handled, particularly during the cleaning of cages is an important area for consideration.

Personal Protective Equipment

Protective equipment can play a useful part in minimising the exposure of a laboratory worker to the allergenic material. In some cases the personal protective equipment may be dictated by other factors. Generally a gown and gloves should be worn when handling animals or changing cages. Respiratory protection of various types, may be necessary to reduce exposure to airborne allergens. Advice on suitable and effective respiratory protection should be sought from one of the Occupational Hygienists in Occupational Health and Safety. They will also carry out a fit test on the user.

Early Intervention

Should staff or post-graduate students develop symptoms like those described above, or have any concerns about health problems with their work, then contact can be made with the Occupational Health and Safety. Private and confidential consultations can be arranged with either the Occupational Health Nursing staff or the Consultant Occupational Health Physician. Depending on the diagnosis or assessment made, contact may be made with the department to identify those factors in the workplace which may need to be modified to prevent the person's symptoms from worsening.

Case Management and Rehabilitation

In a certain number of cases, particularly where asthma is the presenting problem, a longer term strategy will be required to assist the employee or post-graduate student. It is possible that the medical problem developing is of such severity that a longer term of plan of management is required involving possible job changes and vocational counselling. This may require significant job modification or in the extreme cases a change in future work activities. In such cases the University's re-deployment and rehabilitation policies may support such changes.

For additional information, contact Occupational Health and Safety on:

February 1995