ALAT - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Facility Environment and Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended temperature range for most laboratory rodent housing rooms?
- 60–65°F (15–18°C)
- 64–79°F (18–26°C) (Correct answer)
- 80–85°F (27–29°C)
- 50–60°F (10–15°C)
Correct answer: 64–79°F (18–26°C)
The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends a temperature range of 64–79°F (18–26°C) for most rodent species, balancing their thermoregulatory needs and research consistency.
Question 2: Which air pressure relationship is maintained in a barrier animal room to prevent contamination from entering?
- Negative pressure relative to the corridor
- Equal pressure to the corridor
- Positive pressure relative to the corridor (Correct answer)
- Alternating pressure cycles throughout the day
Correct answer: Positive pressure relative to the corridor
Barrier rooms are kept at positive pressure relative to the corridor so that air flows outward when doors are opened, preventing unfiltered outside air and potential contaminants from entering the clean animal space.
Question 3: What is the standard recommended number of air changes per hour (ACH) for animal housing rooms?
- 2–5 ACH
- 6–9 ACH
- 10–15 ACH (Correct answer)
- 20–25 ACH
Correct answer: 10–15 ACH
The Guide recommends 10–15 fresh air changes per hour in animal rooms to dilute odors, ammonia, allergens, and microorganisms and maintain air quality for both animals and staff.
Question 4: Why is a consistent light/dark cycle important in a laboratory animal facility?
- It reduces electricity costs during off-hours
- It prevents nocturnal animals from disturbing staff
- It regulates animals' circadian rhythms and can affect research outcomes (Correct answer)
- It is required only for primate species, not rodents
Correct answer: It regulates animals' circadian rhythms and can affect research outcomes
A consistent photoperiod (typically 12 hours light/12 hours dark) regulates circadian rhythms governing hormone levels, behavior, and metabolism. Disruptions can introduce variables that compromise research data.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of an antechamber (or airlock) at the entrance to a barrier animal room?
- To store animal feed and bedding supplies
- To provide a transition zone that minimizes contamination when entering or exiting (Correct answer)
- To house the HVAC controls for that room
- To serve as a quarantine space for new animal shipments
Correct answer: To provide a transition zone that minimizes contamination when entering or exiting
An antechamber acts as a buffer zone between the corridor and the animal room, allowing personnel to don PPE and preventing direct airflow exchange between the two areas, thereby reducing contamination risk.
Question 6: How should relative humidity (RH) typically be maintained in laboratory animal rooms?
- Below 20% RH to inhibit microbial growth
- Between 30–70% RH (Correct answer)
- Between 75–90% RH to keep animals hydrated
- Humidity is not regulated and does not affect animals
Correct answer: Between 30–70% RH
Relative humidity between 30–70% is recommended to prevent extremes that cause respiratory problems, ringtail in rodents (too dry), or increased microbial growth and discomfort (too humid).
ALAT - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Facility Environment and Management 1
What is the recommended temperature range for most laboratory rodent housing rooms?