Task-related variation in airborne concentrations of laboratory animal allergens: Studies with Rat n I

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 84; no. 3; pp. 347 - 352
• Main Authors: Eggleston, Peyton A., Newill, Carol A., Ansari, Aftab A., Pustelnik, Anita, Lou, Sheau-Rong, Evans, Richard, Marsh, David G., Longbottom, Joan L., Corn, Morton
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.09.1989; Elsevier
• Subjects: AIR; Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis; Air Pollutants, Occupational - immunology; AIRE; ALERGENOS; ALLERGENE; ALLERGENS; Allergens - analysis; Allergens - immunology; ALLERGIES; Animal Husbandry - methods; Animals; Animals, Laboratory - immunology; Antigens, allergens; Biological and medical sciences; ECHANTILLONNAGE; EXPOSURE; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; HYPERSENSITIVITY; Immediate hypersensitivity. Allergy. Anaphylaxis, etc; Immunobiology; MUESTREO; OCCUPATIONAL DISORDERS; OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS; Radioimmunoassay; RAT; RATA; RATS; Rats - immunology; REACCIONES ALERGICAS; REACTION ALLERGIQUE; RIESGOS OCUPACIONALES; RISQUE PROFESSIONNEL; SAMPLING
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/0091-6749(89)90419-3

To define airborne allergen exposure during various tasks with rats in a laboratory, concentrations of allergen Rat n I were measured by radioimmunoassay in extracts from filters in personal air sampling devices that were worn by laboratory workers while they were performing these tasks. The tasks included feeding, cage cleaning, handling, injection, surgery, and sacrifice. Median concentrations encountered during feeding or cleaning (21 ng/m 3) and injection or handling (13 ng/m 3) were higher than those associated with surgery or sacrifice (3.1 ng/m 3; p < 0.01). Area samples in animal-holding rooms contained 3.4 ng/m 3 during animal handling and 2.3 ng/m 3 at other times. Very low concentrations were found in air outside the handling room, in unused laboratories, or outside air. We concluded that certain tasks incur a higher risk of allergen exposure but that exposure may occur anywhere within an animal laboratory environment.