Allergy to laboratory animals
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Allergens from animals are found in urine, saliva and skin cells from the animals.
To protect yourself and the environment against allergens, it is important that the correct dress code is followed.
Dust mask (with filter) protects your respiration and also protect the animals against secretions from you. A hood captures allergens from urine and epithelium, so that you can avoid bringing this home to your family. Gloves protect you against allergens in urine. Protective coats used only in the animal room prevent you from bringing with you allergens and contagious substances to other animal rooms or to the common areas. Separate shoes (used only in the animal facility) or shoe covers avoid you from bringing pathogens, parasites etc into or out of the facility.
People who work with lab animals more than 1 hour a week or more than 40 hours a year, must be enrolled in UoB’s health programme for monitoring allergy development.
Articles on allergy against laboratory animals:
Reduction of exposure to laboratory animal allergens in the workplace
