Control strategies for aeroallergens in an animal facility

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of the occupational disease laboratory animal allergy could be reduced if aeroallergen reduction strategies are identified. Objective: To reduce worker exposure to Mus m 1, an allergen from laboratory mice, the effect of filter cage tops, increased room ventilation, negatively pressurized ventilated cages, and ventilated cage-changing tables were evaluated. Methods: Aeroallergen was collected in the ambient air and in the breathing zone and quantified by using a competitive immunoassay. Results: When mice were housed in unventilated cages, ambient allergen was reduced from 5.1 ng/m3 with no cage top to 1.3 ng/m3 with a simple filter-sheet top and 0.8 ng/m3 with a fitted filter-bonnet top (P < .05). Use of a ventilated table controlled bacterial contamination, measured as colony forming units, found in negatively pressurized cages. Conclusion: Three aeroallergen control strategies are use of filter cage tops, operation of negatively pressurized cages, and use of ventilated changing tables.