Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Report No. TA 78-30, International Center of Environmental Safety, Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, New Mexico

摘要

Animal health records, and those of current and former employees at the International Center of Environmental Safety (ICES) at Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, New Mexico were reviewed in response to a request from OSHA Region VI concerning potential biological hazards at the center. The incidence of naturally occurring (tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, beta hemolytic streptococcal disease, enteric disease, and Herpesvirus simiae) and artifically induced (hepatitis B) zoonotic diseases were investigated. Incidences of each disease for ICES chimpanzees, rhesus monkeys, and humans are described and possible means of transmission are indicated. Air flow studies also were conducted. It is concluded that potential disease hazards exist at the center, primarily because of careless and unsanitary handling of animals, reversed air flow and positive air pressure in laboratories and animal holding areas, and poor notation of hazard areas. Recommendations resulting from the review include careful testing and meticulous medical record keeping for the animals and workers, strict hygiene practices of hand washing and limited hand/face and face/chimpanzee contact, use of appropriate protective clothing, engineering improvements of the air flow systems, separate housing for rhesus monkeys and chimpanzees, and complete identification of hazard areas.