Lab Acquired Animal Allergies

Debra Murphy, Director Research Integrity and AssuranceJuly 29, 2014

(revised February 17, 2015)

Prevention and Protection, Educational Information

ObjectivesBe able to:• Identify allergens • Identify ways to reduce exposure• Identify and use appropriate

personal protective equipment• Identify symptoms of developing

allergies

Advancing Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

What Are Animal Allergens• Mice - Urine is most allergenic protein, dander

(dead skin cells), and saliva • Rats - dander, saliva, and urine• Guinea pigs - urine, saliva, fur• Rabbits - fur, urine• Birds - feathers, leads to hypersensitivity

pneumonitis• Cats - saliva, dander• Dogs - dander, saliva• Reptiles – much less likely, but reports of

allergies to scales, blood, and saliva

Advancing Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Animal Allergens

• Workers with no history of any allergy have a 10% chance of developing allergies to animals

• Workers with a history of an allergic reaction to anything have a 30% chance of developing allergies to animals

• Workers with allergies to lab animals have a 10% chance of developing asthma

Advancing Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Allergy Symptoms

• Most common:– Itchy eyes– Runny nose

• Also:– Sneezing– Coughing– Wheezing– Shortness of breath– Rashes– Hives

Advancing Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

• Asthma – cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness

• Anaphylaxis – most severe; itching, hives, throat tightness, eye or lip swelling, shortness of breath leading to respiratory failure and shock with up to 2% dying from the reaction

Allergies - Consequences

• Contact urticaria – red, itchy skin; welts, hives

• Conjunctivitis – red, itchy eyes

• Rhinitis – sneezing, nasal itching/congestion, clear discharge

Laboratory Environment• Signage - there should be signage alerting others

that animals are present• Use of Primary Barrier Equipment

– e.g., safety cabinets, caging, local exhaust systems

• Respirators– Mandatory use of N95 respirators requires

medical clearance, respirator training, and fit testing• DACT and Tier 1 workers contact ASU Health Services

for their fit tests• All other employees contact EHS for their fit tests

Advancing Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Respirators

This is a face mask or surgical mask,

not a respirator.

N95 Surgical Respirators• Most N95 respirators are manufactured for use in construction and

other industrial type jobs that expose workers to dust and small particles. These respirators are evaluated for effectiveness by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is part of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These are labeled "For occupational use.”

• N95 respirators cleared by FDA for use in the healthcare setting are called “surgical N95 respirators”. These devices meet some of the same performance standards as surgical face masks and are also NIOSH-certified to meet the N95 respirator performance requirements.

N95 Surgical Respirators• A surgical N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very

close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. In addition to blocking splashes, sprays, and large droplets, the respirator is also designed to prevent the wearer from breathing in very small particles that may be in the air.

• ALL FDA-cleared surgical N95 respirators are labeled as "single use", disposable devices. If your respirator is damaged or soiled, or if breathing becomes difficult, you should remove the respirator, discard it properly, and replace it with a new one. To safely discard your N95 respirator, place it directly in the trash. Wash your hands after handling the used respirator.

• N95 respirators are not designed for children or people with facial hair. Because a proper fit cannot be achieved on children and people with facial hair, the N95 respirator may not provide full protection.

Facemasks• A facemask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical

barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment. Facemasks are also called surgical or mist masks.

• If worn properly, a facemask is meant to help block large-particles and droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria) from reaching your mouth and nose. Facemasks may also help reduce exposure of your saliva and respiratory secretions to others.

• Facemasks are not intended to be used more than once. If your mask is damaged or soiled, or if breathing through the mask becomes difficult, you should remove the facemask, discard it safely, and replace it with a new one. To safely discard your mask, place it directly into the trash. Wash your hands after handling the used mask.

Laboratory Environment

• Laboratory Clothing– Disposable laboratory coats/coverings are

ideal; when removed, turned it inside out and disposed of appropriately

– Non-disposable coverings must be laundered frequently and never at home

– Gloves• Decontamination of Work Areas

– Mechanically remove allergens from surface, wash hands, etc.

Advancing Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Primary Prevention

• Goal: to reduce or eliminate exposure– Primary Barrier Equipment:

• Biological safety cabinet• Exhaust systems: fume hoods, downdraft table

or sink• Microisolator cage• Individual ventilated cages• Ventilated cage change station• Mist masks• Respirators

Advancing Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Health Questionnaire

• Every year, you complete a health questionnaire that specifically asks about allergy symptoms.

• If at ANY TIME between questionnaires you begin to experience allergy symptoms, contact ASU Health Services/Occupational Health

Advancing Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Acknowledgments

Completion of the annual Health Surveillance Questionnaire and review of accompanying training materials is your acknowledgment that that you have been provided with the information you need to make decisions about PPE usage that can prevent lab-acquired animal allergies.

Advancing Research, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Resources and References

• Occupational Health Surveillance Program

• http://www.asu.edu/ehs/documents/asu-animal-allergies.pdf

• http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/GeneralHospitalDevicesandSupplies/PersonalProtectiveEquipment/ucm055977.htm

• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/RespSource3healthcare.html#e