Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA 82-002-1312, Metabolism and Radiation Research Laboratory (MRRL), Fargo, North Dakota

摘要

In September 1981, a survey of employees at the USDA Metabolism and Radiation Research Laboratory (MRRL) was conducted using mailed self-administered questionnaires. Follow-up medical interviews and an industrial hygiene survey were conducted from November 2 to November 5 at the MRRL. The purpose of this evaluation was to evaluate the causes and prevalence of occupational allergies at this research facility where insects are raised under controlled conditions for entomological research. There are no established industrial hygiene methods and standards to guide evaluation of airborne material in insect rearing facilities, but an attempt was made to begin to characterize the workplace exposures of insectary employees using a variety of industrial hygiene sampling methods. On the basis of this evaluation, that some employees at the MRRL reported having experienced symptoms consistent with occupational allergy related to exposures inherent to working with insects. Recommendations for reducing exposures to allergenic particulates at this arthropod research facility and for medical surveillance of the workers are contained in the report.