The document discusses recommendations to prevent animal allergens in laboratories at Rutgers Comparative Medicine Research center. It notes that 33% of animal handlers have allergic symptoms and 10% have asthma. To address this, it assessed work activities and procedures to identify ways to reduce allergen exposure, such as implementing proper use of personal protective equipment, engineering controls, administrative controls, and training for staff on safe animal handling practices.

1. Animal Allergen Prevention in Laboratories
• National Institute of Occupational Safety
and Health reports:
• 2 million workers have jobs that
require contact with animals or animal
products
• 33% of animal handlers have allergic
symptoms
• 10% have symptoms of animal induced
asthma
• Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety
(REHS) is responsible for safety and
environmental risks to University
community.
• To increase awareness of potential
allergens when handling animals in
labs of the Rutgers Comparative
Medicine Research center (CMR)
• Prevention strategies against allergens
among staff of CMR
• Create fundamental set of guidelines
in occupational practices of animal
handling
• Staff was observed to transport
animals in approved filter top cages
and white buckets with lids
• Mandatory animal care and use
seminar must be completed, however
no specific training set up for staff
members to instruct and review
proper work practices
• No procedure policy for emptying
animal bedding; staff dumps dirty
bedding directly into large drum,
enabling its contents to disperse in
air of the room
• Thanks to the staff of REHS for their
aid in research and experience and a
special thank you to my supervisor
Marc Longo, Health and Safety
Specialist of REHS for sharing his
knowledge and guiding me
throughout this internship
• Also special thanks to Ann Marie
Hill for all the resources needed for a
successful internship
Significance Method
Results
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Observe procedures
within laboratories
Conduct assessment
of work activities
Analyze results
Provide
recommendations to
lessen allergen risk
Conduct surveys
each month for
follow-up on general
allergen trends
• Proper usage of gowns,
gloves, and respiratory
protection
• Only worn in lab areas;
should be removed
otherwise
• Recognizing and
mitigating animal
allergen exposure
• Periodic maintenance of
engineering controls
• Proper use of PPE
• Updated Standard
Operating Procedures
• Training set up
• Proper transportation of
animals from rooms to
labs
• Changing of dirty animal
bedding
• Cleaning of cages
Engineering
Controls
Administrative
Controls
Personal
Protection
Equipment
Training
Oli Uzzaman
Purpose