From workplace to home environment: spreading of mouse allergens by laboratory animal workers
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
From workplace to home environment: spreading of mouse allergens by laboratory animal workers Hannah Kube1,2 · Ronald Herrera1,2 · Gisela Dietrich‑Gümperlein1,2 · Rudolf Schierl1,2 · Dennis Nowak1,2 · Katja Radon1,2 · Laura Wengenroth1,2 · Jessica Gerlich1,2 Received: 24 February 2020 / Accepted: 26 October 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Purpose Laboratory animal workers (LAW) working with laboratory mice are exposed to mouse allergens (MA). If MA are spread to home environments, this might increase the risk for allergies in LAW and their families. This study aimed to assess 1. whether spreading of MA from workplace to home environment takes place; 2. which factors increase spreading of MA. Methods In a cross-sectional study, dust samples were taken on the mattress and seating in homes of LAW (n = 105) and an unexposed comparison group (n = 13). From 89 LAW, additional dust samples were taken from their workplaces. Samples were analysed using Mus m1 ELISA kits [detection limit (DL) 0.2 ng mus m1/ml]. Sociodemographic data, personal history of allergies and cleaning habits, as well as work-related characteristics (LAW only) were assessed by questionnaire. Latent factors were assessed via factor analysis. Tobit models were fitted to analyse the latent factors’ contribution to MA spreading. Results MA concentration on the seating was significantly higher in home environments of LAW (median = 1.28 ng mus m1/m2) than in the comparison group (median
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