Variation in rat urinary aeroallergen levels explained by differences in site, task and exposure group.
Authors
Nieuwenhuijsen-MJ; Gordon-S; Harris-JM; Tee-RD; Venables-KM; Newman-Taylor-AJ
Source
Ann Occup Hyg 1995 Dec; 39(6):819-825
Abstract
The effects of site characteristics, task, and exposure group on rat urinary aeroallergen (RUA) levels were investigated at two research sites where there was work with rats. Workers were divided into nine exposure groups: scientists and laboratory technicians, cage cleaners, supervisors, animal technicians, office workers, slide production, maintenance, post mortem, and miscellaneous. Personal samplers were work by workers in each exposure group for a whole work shift, and a detailed work record was kept of tasks performed. Task categories were identified which were associated with high RUA levels. In task categories where there was contact with frozen tissue and/or a small number of unconscious animals, RUA levels were low. Task categories with contact with a large number of rats had much higher RUA levels. Cage cleaning was associated with the highest level of RUA. The study results have indicated that a large proportion of variability of RUA levels can be explained by simple grouping of workers. Task categories with high RUA levels can be identified by whole shift sampling and filling in a work record sheet. Either groups of workers or task categories with high RUA levels can subsequently be targeted for reduction of exposure and related disease.
Keywords
Laboratory-animals; Sampling-methods; Epidemiology; Laboratory-workers; Laboratory-techniques; Occupational-exposure; Work-analysis; Workplace-studies
Document Type
Journal Article
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
Identifying No.
Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U07-CCU-906162
Source Name
Annals of Occupational Hygiene
Performing Organization
University of California - Davis
