Prevention of Laboratory Animal Allergy and Impact of COVID-19 on Prevention Programs in the United States

Respiratory allergy and asthma to laboratory animals are common and preventable using engineering, administrative, and work practice controls, along with PPE (including reparatory protection) and tracked using medical surveillance. In this 10-year follow-up national survey of prevention practices, wide variation in practices, controls, and medical surveillance persisted. Objective Laboratory animal allergy (LAA) is common and preventable. This study provides a 10-year update on LAA prevention programs in the United States and the effect of COVID-19 on prevention practices. Methods An electronic survey was e-mailed to designated institutional officials at laboratory animal facilities identified by the National Institutes of Health Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare. Results were compared with the prior survey. Results A total of 141 institutions employing 58,224 laboratory animal workers responded. Results were similar to the prior survey with wide variation in practices. Medical surveillance increased (58%–71%), but N95 respirator use decreased (17%–13%). As before, only 25% of institutions knew their LAA incidence and prevalence rates. COVID-19 had a small time-limited effect on personal protective equipment use. Conclusions Universal use of evidence-based practices and improved medical surveillance would provide greater worker protection from LAA.