217 - Prevention of Laboratory Animal Allergy

Session Description: At least 10% of the laboratory animal research workforce has or will develop allergies to animals. Allergic symptoms can range from rhinoconjunctivitis to anaphylaxis and can adversely affect worker health and careers. While the development of laboratory animal allergy (LAA) is preventable, US national surveys indicate that there has been limited progress in prevention efforts. To address this concern, ACOEM has recently published a Guidance Statement on LAA. This session will address key elements of the guidance including the cause of LAA, best practices for prevention, and how to address workers with LAA. The session will focus on approaches to ensure that medical surveillance is detecting all incident and prevalent cases and how the deidentified results of surveillance can be used to inform efforts to improve the prevention program. Occupational medicine physicians should take a leadership role in forming and participating in a broad-based leadership team that assesses the effectiveness of controls and identifies and supports needed improvements to protect workers.

Educational Gaps: Many organizations that conduct animal research don't conduct medical surveillance. Of those that conduct surveillance, most are not tracking the incidence or prevalence of allergy. Of those that report knowing the incidence and prevalence, many indicate the prevalence is zero, which is likely an underestimate as the prevalence is probably at least 10-20%. The approach to surveillance can be improved.

Is this session being sponsored by an ACOEM Section or Component?: No

Has this session previously been presented?: No

The AOHC 2026 theme is Healthy workers. Healthy world: Studies conducted with laboratory animals remain essential for a broad range of biomedical research. However scientists, technicians, and veterinarians engaged in research are at risk for developing allergies to animals that can affect their health and career. Fortunately, the development of allergy is preventable. Prevention of allergy allows highly skilled workers to remain in the workforce and participate in research that can lead to improvements in care and treatment allowing people to live longer healthier lives.