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Biological Safety FAQ
Policies FAQ
Q. What
is a biosafety level?
A. Biosafety levels are combinations of laboratory
practices and techniques, safety equipment, and laboratory
facilities that create a laboratory condition under which
particular microorganisms can be safely handled. Generally,
work should be conducted at the biosafety level that is suggested
by the CDC, NIH and University Biosafety Committee.
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Examples |
Work
at RU? |
Risk
of Infection |
Select
Requirements |
| BL-1 |
E.
coli JM109 and DH5a, Saccharomyces cerivisiae, animal
(non-human) cell lines, Bacillus subtilis |
Many
Rutgers investigators conduct research at BL-1 |
Agents
are well characterized, pose minimal hazard to healthy
individuals and the environment |
- Access
to the lab is restricted when experiments are in progress
- Research
is conducted on the open bench with safety glasses,
lab coat and gloves required
- Good
hygiene is practiced: researchers wash their hands
when leaving the lab, mechanical pipetting devices
are used, wastes are decontaminated prior to disposal
- SOPs
are in place to address spills, handling of sharps,
and access to the laboratory
|
| BL-2 |
Borrelia
burgdorferi, Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus,
Adenoviruses, Epstein Barr virus, Hepatitis viruses, retroviral
vectors, Trichinella |
Many
Rutgers investigators conduct research at BL-2 |
Agents
pose a moderate hazard |
- All
of the BL-1 criteria plus: procedures that have the
potential to generate an aerosol are conducted in
a HEPA filtered biosafety cabinet
- Lab
doors must be lockable
- Biohazard
sign must be posted when agents are in use
- Personnel
are specially trained to manipulate the agent
|
| BL-3 |
Brucella
spp., Mycobacterium spp., Prions, Retroviruses (HTLV,
HIV, SIV) |
No
Rutgers investigators conduct research at BL-3. There
is currently not a facility available at RU to allow BL-3
research |
Agent
may cause serious or potentially lethal disease if an
inhalational exposure occurs |
- The
lab is supervised by an experienced investigator
- Lab
is accessed through self closing double doors and
airlock
- Waste
decontamination takes place within the laboratory
- Air
flow must indicate negative pressure: air flows from
clean rooms toward "contaminated" rooms
- Surfaces
must be easily decontaminated, all permeations must
be sealed
|
| BL-4 |
Monkey
B virus, Ebola virus, Lassa fever virus |
No
Rutgers investigators conduct research at BL-4. There
is not a facility available at RU to allow BL-4 research. |
Agents
that pose a high risk of aerosol transmitted infections
and life-threatening disease are regulated at BL-4. |
_ |
(Adapted
from Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories,
4th Ed.)
Biosafety Cabinets
FAQ
Q: When
must my cabinet be hard ducted to the building exhaust system?
A: Biosafety cabinets must be hard ducted only in specific
situations involving the use of chemicals that are potentially
explosive, carcinogenic or irritating in coordination with
biosafety level 2 biological research. Hazardous chemicals
should be used in the chemical fume hood unless otherwise
approved.
Q: Who certifies
my biosafety cabinet?
A: Rutgers retains the support of ENV Services to certify
biosafety cabinets on campus.
Q: Who pays
for cabinet certification?
A: REHS pays for annual certification of biosafety
cabinets used for biosafety level 2 experiments. Investigators
working at biosafety level 1 must pay for the certification
of their own cabinets.
Q: Who pays
for decontamination and repair of biosafety cabinets?
A: Individual departments or researchers must pay for
any repairs to their equipment.
Bloodborne Pathogens
FAQ
Q: Do all
human cells, even human cell lines purchased from commercial
vendors, require participation in the BBP program?
A: Yes, OSHA has provided guidance that even commercially
available cell lines can carry bloodborne pathogens. Since
it is virtually impossible to test each cell line for all
possible pathogens, Rutgers includes all laboratories using
human cell lines in the Bloodborne Pathogen Program.
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Contact
|
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Overall Program
Management - Greg Lupinski, or call (732) 445 - 2550 |
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