OCCUPATIONAL ALLERGY TO LABORATORY-ANIMALS - EMPLOYER PRACTICES

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (5) , 372-376
Abstract
Occupational asthma from exposure to laboratory animals has recently been recognized as a compensable prescribed disease in Britain [UK]. Current American employer attitudes and policies regarding laboratory animal allergy were surveyed by questionnaire and the findings compiled from 155 institutions. Laboratory animal allergy was reported as a workplace disease of animal house employees by 108 facilities (70%), with rat and rabbit exposure the most frequent cause. While 103 of 155 animal research facilities required a preemployment medical examination, only 6 of these included hypersensitivity screening. Applicants for jobs involving animal contact were rarely disqualified because of an allergic history. A uniform policy regarding the problem of allergy to laboratory animals in USA animal facilities is not presently apparent.

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