Medical College of Wisconsin
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Occupational allergy to laboratory animals: employer practices. J Occup Med 1983 May;25(5):372-6

Date

05/01/1983

Pubmed ID

6854426

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0020608541 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   24 Citations

Abstract

Occupational asthma from exposure to laboratory animals has recently been recognized as a compensable prescribed disease in Britain. 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 six 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 U.S. animal facilities is not presently apparent.

Author List

Lutsky II, Kalbfleisch JH, Fink JN



MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Animals, Laboratory
Dogs
Guinea Pigs
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Mice
Occupational Diseases
Occupational Health Services
Personnel Selection
Rabbits
Rats
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States