Biohazards laboratory

Quality systems require that facilities and equipment should be appropriate to the activities undertaken. Surfaces that are easy to clean and maintain in hygienic condition are a requirement in many situations. For example, cloth-backed chairs would not be acceptable in a laboratory that handled potentially biohazardous materials. Equipment should be checked at installation to demonstrate that it can perform its desired function. This is frequently done using an Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification and Performance Qualification (IQ /OQ/PQ) commissioning process. Routine maintenance and calibration programmes are then required to ensure that equipment continues to deliver the specified performance. 

Bouin s solution is one of the traditional ways to harden cell pellet. Some cytologists believe it provides the best cellular details, especially nuclear features in cell blocks.28 The major steps are (1) After centrifugation, fix the cell pellet with Bouin s solution. (2) After 2h, discard the solution. (3) Remove the hardened cell pellet from the tube, wrap it with lens paper, and transfer it into a cassette for further processing. We have been using this method for many years. In our experience, most of the time, ICC results are consistent with IHC from the surgical specimen. The biggest drawback of this method is the toxicity of Bouin s fixative which creates biohazard and safety issues for the laboratory. We also found cell blocks gave poor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results after Bouin s fixation. 

Universal precautions training that complies with the OSHA standard on occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, as well as a fire training program, should be provided on an annual basis for all laboratory employees. Personnel are required to use proper personal protective devices when handling corrosive, flammable, biohazard, or carcinogenic substances. Eye wash sta-... 

A laboratory must provide adequate and, if necessary, separate space for the performance of routine and specialized procedures. Examples of specialized procedures include aseptic surgery, necropsy, histology, radiography, handling of biohazardous materials, and cleaning and sterilizing of equipment and supplies. 

Parts 58.41 through 58.51 cover the physical facihties of the laboratory. The inspector must determine whether or not the facilities are of adequate size and design for completed or in-process studies. The physical parameters and systems of the facilities as they are used to accommodate the various operations employed in the GLP studies are examined. Investigators also deal explicitly with the environmental control and monitoring procedures for critical areas, especially the rooms used for animal housing, the test article storage areas, and the laboratory areas in which biohazardous material is handled. The procedures and methods for cleaning equipment and areas critical to study conduct as well as the cur-... 

Moraxella catarrhalis is also known in the literature as Branhamella catarrhalis and type strains are available from the ATCC or clinical microbiology laboratories may provide clinical isolates. It is strongly recommended that a biohazard safety hood is used when handling large quantities of the bacterium (see Note 3). 

Doors to the laboratory should be clearly marked to indicate the presence of a biohazard. These doors should remain locked at all times, and only properly authorized personnel should have access. 

All laboratories in which work with biohazardous materials is carried out must have labeled, leak-proof, covered containers for temporary holding of infectious materials awaiting disinfection or disposal. 

All floors, laboratory benches, and other surfaces in areas where biohazardous materials are handled must be disinfected upon completion of operations involving plating, pipetting, centrifugation and similar procedures. 

After the above immediate actions are accomplished, decontamination and cleanup will be directed by the laboratory supervisor and/or a person knowledgeable about biohazard decontamination. This subsequent phase of cleanup should include the following elements. 

Evans MR, Henderson DK, Bennett JE. Potential for laboratory exposures to biohazardous agents found in blood. Am J Public Health 1990 80 423-7. 

Biological samples including blood and urine may present health risks to the personnel collecting and analyzing the samples. When diverse blood samples are transported, received, or analyzed, every effort should be made to reduce the biohazards for laboratory staff (Truchaud et al. 1994 WHO 2003). Suitable containers or bags should be used to transport samples from the animal care buildings to the laboratory. Allergies to laboratory animals and their samples remain a risk for laboratory workers, and efforts should be made to minimize exposure to animal dander, etc. (Venables et al. 1988 Hunskaar and Fosse 1990 Cullinan et al. 1994 Wood and Smith 1999). 

In addition to serologic testing, diagnosis should be pursued by microbiologic culture of blood or body fluid samples. Cultures should be held for at least 2 months, with weekly subcultures onto solid medium. Because it is extremely infectious for laboratory workers, the organism should be subcultured only in a biohazard hood. The reported frequency of isolation from blood varies widely, from less than 10% to 90% B melitensis is said to be more readily cultured than B abortus. Culture of bone marrow may increase the yield.46... 

A pharmaceutical company requires a ventilation system to purify the air of a biohazard containment laboratory. HEPA, ULPA, and SULPA technologies were considered but the ULPA filters were deemed sufficient for the particle size of the likely contaminants. The life span (in days) of the air filter given by the different suppliers is 80, 110, 100, 150, 170, 60,90,90,80, no, 90,110,80,90,160,110,90,210,160,120,110, and 110. A. R. Nassani... 

Work areas where work with potentially contaminated blood or other materials should be posted with the BIOHAZARD legend and symbol. This sign is required for HIV and HBV research laboratories and production facilities. 

Barkley, KW. and Richardson, JJl, Control of biohazards associated with the use of experimental animals, in Laboratory Animal Medicine, Fox, J.G. et at, Eds., Aeademie Press, Orlando, FL, 1984, 595. 

Biological Hazards in the Nonhuman Primate Laboratory, Office of Biohazard Safety, NCI, Bethesda, MD, 1979. 

Heilman, A., Oxman, MJV., and Pollack, R., Biohazards in Biological Research, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, 1973. 

Dinimick, R.L., VogI, W.F., and Chatigny, M.A., Potential fcr accidental mio obial aerosol transmission in the biological laboratory, in Biohazards in Biological Reseanch, Heilman, A., et al., Eds.,... 

The laboratory director establishes policies and procedures whereby only persons who have been advised ofthe biohazards and meet any specific entry requirements (e.g., special training or immunization) may enter the laboratory or animal rooms. 

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