Safety and Employee Monitoring

Employees of private genetic toxicology testing laboratories probably encounter a greater number of untested chemicals than employees in any other 

The use of disposable laboratory garments can eliminate the problem of cleaning chemically exposed garments and reduce the spread of chemical aerosols outside the laboratory. In addition to a laboratory coat, head and shoe covers and gloves (latex and neoprene types) should be provided. Each employee should be fitted with a full-face-mask respirator containing cartridges to remove dust and organic vapors. 

In addition to the design and monitoring of the working environment, all filtering systems should be equipped with alarms indicating a breakdown. Medical monitoring must be mandatory for all employees and include prework, annual, and job-termination examinations. All medical records should be maintained for a minimum of 20 years and probably should be kept permanently. 

Safe handling techniques for mutagenic and carcinogenic substances have been reviewed extensively by Ehrenberg and Wachtmeister.  

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