Review on Occupational Health Risk Prevention and Control for Laboratory Animal Practitioners in Chinese General Universities

With the rapid development of the laboratory animal industry in China, animal experimentation has become a crucial tool for both scientific research output and classroom teaching in universities. Correspondingly, the workforce engaged in laboratory animal work has expanded significantly. In recent years, while the Chinese government has begun to emphasize the occupational health of laboratory animal practitioners by introducing relevant laws and policies, current prevention and control efforts within universities remain insufficient. This study conducted an in-depth investigation into the occupational health management and protection of laboratory animal practitioners in nine general universities in China, focusing on the management standards within university laboratory animal research centers. The research was carried out through field visits, interviews, and academic exchanges, focusing on standardized management practices within university laboratory animal research centers. The findings highlight five major occupational health risks faced by these practitioners: laboratory animal allergy, zoonotic infectious diseases, mechanical injuries, chemical exposures, and psychological factors. Key challenges identified include underdeveloped management systems, a lack of risk assessment mechanisms, and inadequate protective facilities. To address these issues, the study proposes a three-tiered prevention and control framework. At the university level, institutions should establish comprehensive regulatory systems and increase funding investment. At the laboratory animal center level, biosafety laboratories should be developed, risk source management strengthened, and emergency preparedness and health monitoring enhanced. At the level of individual practitioners, appropriate use of personal protective equipment should be enforced, occupational health training should be provided, standard operating procedures should be strictly followed, and occupational exposure incidents should be reported promptly. Through multi-party collaboration, this study explores feasible paths for constructing a scientific and efficient occupational health protection system in domestic universities, aiming to provide theoretical support and practical references for the sustainable development of the laboratory animal industry in China.