title: Controlling allergens in animal rooms by using curtains.
abstract: The reduction and control of allergens in the animal facility is important for staff working with laboratory animals. This study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of perforated Makrolon curtains in front of racks as a method to reduce the amount of allergen in the animal room. The experimental situation we studied provides some information regarding allergen disposition in animal rooms but is clearly artificial and does not reflect a typical, 'real-world' environment in terms of preventing exposure of workers to allergens. Plastic curtains with holes were placed in front of racks, and a corridor between the racks and a curtain was present. The room was ventilated with air, which was blown into the room through the middle of the corridor, flowing downstream and passing through the holes in the curtain. This set-up resulted in air flow from the corridor through the curtain. Air samples were collected from sites in the corridor and behind the curtain. The samples were analyzed for the allergen Mus m1, and the amount of allergen was calculated. The results show air flow from the aisle through the holes in the curtains and through the racks behind the curtains, and this flow keeps allergen behind the curtains and prevents its spread from the cages into the aisle. The present study shows that the use of curtains in front of the cage racks is an efficient way to prevent spread of allergens from rodent cages to the entire animal room.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Applied Laboratory Animal Research, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark. tkr@kvl.dk
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Krohn
authors.forename: Gabi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Itter
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fosse
authors.forename: Axel K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D051379:Mice / Q000276:immunology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014691:Ventilation
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000485:Allergens