ALAT Occupational Health and Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is Laboratory Animal Allergy (LAA) and what are its symptoms?
- Allergy to lab chemicals only
- IgE-mediated response to animal proteins causing rhinitis, conjunctivitis, skin reactions, and potentially asthma (Correct answer)
- Bacterial infection from bites
- Allergy affecting only veterinarians
Correct answer: IgE-mediated response to animal proteins causing rhinitis, conjunctivitis, skin reactions, and potentially asthma
LAA is an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to proteins in animal urine, dander, and saliva, with symptoms from rhinitis to life-threatening asthma.
LAA affects 10-30% of workers. Primary allergens: Mus m 1 (mouse), Rat n 1 (rat). Symptoms progress from rhinoconjunctivitis to urticaria to asthma. Risk factors include atopy and exposure intensity.
Question 2: What is the purpose of pre-employment health screening for animal workers?
- To deny employment
- To establish baseline health data, identify pre-existing risks, and develop individualized protection plans (Correct answer)
- Only for insurance
- Only for physical fitness assessment
Correct answer: To establish baseline health data, identify pre-existing risks, and develop individualized protection plans
Pre-employment screening establishes baseline data for future comparison, identifies conditions increasing risk, and enables personalized risk mitigation.
Components include health history, baseline spirometry, allergy testing, immunization review, and TB test for NHP workers. Atopic individuals have 2-3x higher LAA risk.
Question 3: What are the primary zoonotic disease risks from laboratory rodents?
- No zoonotic risks
- LCMV, hantavirus, dermatophytosis, rat bite fever, and allergic sensitization (Correct answer)
- Only rabies
- Only tuberculosis
Correct answer: LCMV, hantavirus, dermatophytosis, rat bite fever, and allergic sensitization
Risks include LCMV (mice), hantavirus (wild rodents), rat bite fever (from bites), dermatophytosis (ringworm), and allergic sensitization.
Risks are low in well-managed SPF colonies but increase with wild-caught animals. LCMV is very dangerous in pregnancy. Hantavirus can be fatal. Use proper PPE and avoid bites.
Question 4: What is the proper response after an animal bite?
- Ignore if not serious
- Wash thoroughly, apply first aid, report to supervisor, seek medical evaluation per institutional procedures (Correct answer)
- Bandage and continue without reporting
- Wait to see if infection develops
Correct answer: Wash thoroughly, apply first aid, report to supervisor, seek medical evaluation per institutional procedures
Response: wash with soap and water for 5+ minutes, apply antiseptic, report to supervisor, complete incident report, seek medical evaluation.
Bites pose risks of infection (rat bite fever, Pasteurella), allergic reaction, and potentially rabies. Medical evaluation includes wound assessment, tetanus booster evaluation, and antibiotics if indicated.
Question 5: What engineering controls help reduce allergen exposure?
- Opening windows
- IVC systems, ventilated cage changing stations, HEPA-filtered room supply, and proper ventilation rates (Correct answer)
- Reducing animal numbers
- Stronger cleaning chemicals
Correct answer: IVC systems, ventilated cage changing stations, HEPA-filtered room supply, and proper ventilation rates
Engineering controls are most effective: IVC systems contain allergens, ventilated stations provide HEPA protection, and proper room ventilation dilutes airborne allergens.
IVC systems reduce room allergen levels by 90%+. Engineering controls are preferred over PPE per the hierarchy of controls because they don't rely on individual compliance.
Question 6: What information should ALATs receive about hazardous materials in research protocols?
- No information needed
- Nature of hazards, required PPE, handling procedures, spill response, and exposure symptoms (Correct answer)
- Only the chemical name
- Information only after an exposure
Correct answer: Nature of hazards, required PPE, handling procedures, spill response, and exposure symptoms
ALATs must receive training on all hazardous materials they may encounter, including hazard identification, PPE, safe handling, spill response, and decontamination.
Hazards include carcinogens, cytotoxic drugs, infectious agents, and radiation. Training must occur BEFORE working with hazardous protocol cages. Technicians should know how to identify hazard-specific cage cards.
ALAT Occupational Health and Safety 2
What is Laboratory Animal Allergy (LAA) and what are its symptoms?