VARIATION IN RAT URINARY AEROALLERGEN LEVELS EXPLAINED BY DIFFERENCESIN SITE, TASK AND EXPOSURE GROUP

We describe how much of the variation in rat urinary aeroallergen (RUA ) levels may be explained by differences in site and exposure group in research establishments and we identify task categories associated wi th high RUA levels. In this population 73% of the variability in RUA l evels could be explained by exposure group, site and their interaction term. Exposure group alone explained the majority of the variation (6 9%). The task category associated with the highest RUA level was clean ing out, followed by indirect contact with rats and handling rats. The task categories associated with the lowest levels were slide producti on, post mortem and experiments. These results may help choose appropr iate exposure measures for epidemiological studies in research establi shments in the future and may help reduce the incidence of laboratory animal allergy.