Occupational allergy to laboratory animals: employer practices

Abstract

Occupational asthma from exposure to laboratory animals has recently been recognized as a compensable prescribed disease in Britain. Current American employer attitudes and policies regarding laboratory animal allergy were surveyed by questionnaire and the findings compiled from 155 institutions. Laboratory animal allergy was reported as a workplace disease of animal house employees by 108 facilities (70%), with rat and rabbit exposure the most frequent cause. While 103 of 155 animal research facilities required a preemployment medical examination, only six of these included hypersensitivity screening. Applicants for jobs involving animal contact were rarely disqualified because of an allergic history. A uniform policy regarding the problem of allergy to laboratory animals in U.S. animal facilities is not presently apparent.