Immunology Laboratory
The Immunology Laboratory is fully equipped to undertake a range of immunoassays and other analytical procedures. These analytical services are particularly relevant for evaluating health and safety issues when working with respiratory sensitisers (allergens).
Our extensive expertise and experience also allows us to successfully tailor analytical investigations specially to solve our clients' unique problems. We can undertake sampling on clients' premises if required (see also Occupational Hygiene and Safety) and assist manufacturers in the assessing the efficacy of safety equipment.
Services include:
Measurement of airborne allergens
Workplace exposure to allergens is an important risk factor for occupational asthma and allergy. It is accepted that if exposure to respiratory sensitisers is reduced the risk of disease is reduced too. Methods are now available to quantify exposure to an increasing range of allergens including rodent urinary proteins, mites, moulds and latex. Quantitative measurement of personal exposure to allergens can identify high risk procedures and objectively assess the effectiveness of strategies designed to control exposure. It is also a powerful tool in the ongoing education and training of personnel about this important risk to their health.
Endotoxin
Endotoxins are microscopic components of gram-negative bacteria that are respiratory irritants. Occupations where exposure to endotoxins may be high include sewage workers, domestic waste handling, composting, the farming of crops and animals, metal working and others. There is a well established link between occupational exposure to endotoxins and airway disease. The symptoms may appear up to 12 hours after exposure to endotoxins and include: flu-like symptoms, fatigue and dysponea (breathlessness). Measurement of exposure to endotoxins the work place is a powerful tool as it can be used to assess potential risks to health. Additionally, identification of specific locations or tasks associated with high exposure to endotoxins can help in designing better practises and procedures to ensure the safety of employees. If exposure to endotoxins is prevented or controlled, the risk to health will be minimised. We can work with clients to help to achieve a safe working environment.
Specific IgE
Measurement of specific IgE to agents suspected of causing occupational allergy is a powerful investigative tool. You can view the Occupational Allergen list here: allergen_list.pdf . It can be used by the General Practioner to assist in the diagnosis of adult allergy that may be caused or exacerbated by occupation. For Occupational Health specialists it may be a valuable part of a routine health surveillance programme for those exposed to respiratory sensitisers and help to identify and manage those at risk. In either case, measurement of specific IgE in blood will confirm if symptoms are due to an allergy and assist in identifying specific causative agents found in the workplace. Measurement of antibody levels in the longer term may also be used to monitor disease progression in individuals already sensitised to allergens.
An example of the occupations for which allergy testing is available are: food manufacturing and processing, farming, healthcare and laboratory workers, chemical workers, and bakers and millers.
The contact/fax back form can be downloaded from here: Contact/fax-back form .
Training courses
- Laboratory Animal Workers Workshop. This annual one-day workshop is usually held in the autumn. Previous speakers have included experts from the fields of allergy, occupational hygiene, ergonomics, occupational health and health and safety management.
- Future Workshops. Topics to be covered include RPE fit testing and others.