Biosafety and Biosecurity Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following actions is defined as the act of introduction of a substance into the body?

Inoculation (correct)

Inhalation

Ingestion

Contamination

What is the primary cause of laboratory acquired infections according to the data?

Human factors (correct)

Chemical exposure

Environmental contamination

Equipment failure

What event related to biosafety occurred in 1975?

Introduction of the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories guidebook

Establishment of four levels of biosafety

Publication of the first NIH guidelines for DNA research

Drafting of general principles for biohazards at Asilomar Conference (correct)

What is a key recommendation from A.G. Wedum regarding biosafety measures?

Matching containment effectiveness with estimated risk Signup and view all the answers

Which component is essential for maintaining information security?

Confidentiality, integrity, and availability Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the presence of an unwanted substance or impurity on skin or mucous membranes?

Contamination Signup and view all the answers

What does a personnel reliability program focus on?

Background check and continuous monitoring Signup and view all the answers

Which process is critical for managing transport security effectively?

Knowledge of IATA certified personnel Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of biosecurity related to pathogen access?

Ensuring the integrity of individuals with access Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is part of effective intrusion detection?

Alarm assessment and response protocols Signup and view all the answers

Which pathogen is classified under Risk Group 3?

M.tuberculosis Signup and view all the answers

What type of work area is typical for Biosafety Level (BSL) 2?

Biosafety cabinet / laminar flow hood Signup and view all the answers

What type of work area is typical for pathogens classified under BSL 4?

Full isolation suits Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a safety practice for Risk Group 1?

Require the use of full isolation suits Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of pathogens in Risk Group 2?

They usually cause serious disease but effective treatment is available. Signup and view all the answers

What pathogen is an example of Risk Group 4?

Marburg virus Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes pathogens in Risk Group 4 from those in Risk Group 3?

Pathogens in Risk Group 4 can be transmitted readily from individual to individual. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common example of a Risk Group 2 pathogen?

HIV Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of biosafety regulations?

To protect employees’ safety and health. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the role of primary containment equipment?

To minimize exposure to hazards at the source. Signup and view all the answers

What type of respiratory protection includes N95 and N100 respirators?

Air filtering respirators. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding the use of gloves in a laboratory setting?

Latex gloves are safe for everyone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of secondary barriers in biosafety?

To protect the environment outside the laboratory. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following principles is foundational to laboratory safety?

Strict adherence to established procedures. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is considered a primary containment barrier?

Biological safety cabinets. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key components of the European Commission's directive on biosafety?

Protection of workers from biological risks. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of laboratory safety, what does HEPA stand for?

High Efficiency Particulate Air. Signup and view all the answers

What type of equipment is crucial for the effective primary containment of infectious materials?

Biological safety cabinets (BSCs). Signup and view all the answers

What is an aspect important for ensuring laboratory personnel are aware of hazards?

Having updated safety signage. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices is NOT recommended for using lab coats?

Wearing lab coats in public areas. Signup and view all the answers

Which biosafety level represents microorganisms that are unlikely to cause disease in humans or animals?

Biosafety Level 1. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of biosafety?

Protecting workers from exposure to pathogens Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following distinguishes biosafety from biosecurity?

Biosafety is concerned with pathogens, while biosecurity protects against worker actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary objective of biosecurity within laboratories?

Securing valuable biological materials from unauthorized access Signup and view all the answers

Which microorganism is most likely to be classified in a higher risk group?

Brucella Signup and view all the answers

Which organization typically addresses international biosafety standards?

World Health Organization (WHO) Signup and view all the answers

The main consequence of a biosafety breach in a laboratory is likely to be:

Exposure of workers to pathogens Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to categorize laboratories according to their biosafety level?

To establish appropriate safety protocols Signup and view all the answers

What does a brucellosis outbreak primarily highlight in terms of biosafety concerns?

Importance of pathogen containment strategies Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biosafety

Definition: Containment principles, technologies, and practices that prevent unintentional exposure to pathogens and toxins, or their release.
Purpose: Protect the worker from bad bugs.
Example of Biosafety in action: Bacterial outbreak in China after a factory leak.
Biosafety Levels: Increase in protection of both worker and environment

Biosecurity

Definition: Protection, control, and accountability for valuable biological materials within laboratories to prevent unauthorized access, loss, theft, misuse, diversion, or intentional release.
Purpose: Protect the bugs from bad workers.

Chain of Infection

A series of events involved in the transmission of microbes from a reservoir to a susceptible host.

Laboratory-Acquired Infections

Infections (symptomatic or asymptomatic) acquired through laboratory-related activities due to working with infectious agents.
Causative Events:
- 20% due to equipment failure.
- 80% due to human error.

Accidents Resulting in Infection

Ingestion: Consumption of a substance by an organism.
Inoculation: Introduction of a substance into the body.
Contamination: Presence of an unwanted substance or purity in the skin or mucous membrane.
Inhalation: Drawing air or other substances into the lungs.

History of Biosafety

A.G. Wedum: Pioneer in developing biosafety measures after World War II, evaluating risks of handling hazardous biological agents and developing practices, equipment, and facility safeguards.
Asilomar Conference (1975): Developed general principles for dealing with potential biohazards related to GMOs, suggesting containment as an essential consideration for experimental design.
1976: First edition of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines for research involving DNA molecules.
1984: First edition of the guidebook, "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories," produced by the NIH and CDC.
1990: The EU's Directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents published.

Organizations

CDC: Oversees public health and safety including laboratory safety.
OSHA: Develops and enforces workplace standards to protect employee safety and health.
International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA): A global organization that supports the biosafety community through networking, sharing information and good practices.

Fundamental Concepts

Laboratory safety
Bloodborne pathogens
Recombinant DNA
Biological waste disposal
Transport of biological materials
Respiratory protection
Bioterrorism and select agents
Mold and indoor air quality
Occupational safety
Health in the use of research animals

Biocontainment

Definition: The principle of holding or being capable of holding or including within a fixed limit or area.
Biocontainment in practice: Preventing the release of biological agents.

Primary Barriers

Control the hazard at the source, including:
- Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC)
- HEPA filters

Secondary Barriers

Structures surrounding primary barriers that protect against the hazard, including:
- Sealed perimeter
- Exhaust HEPA filters

Primary Containment Equipment

Purpose: Minimizes exposure to hazards:
- Biological Safety Cabinets
- Animal enclosures
- Sealed centrifuge rotors

HEPA Filters

Definition: High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters.
Function: Remove a broad range of airborne contaminants to protect the environment.

Laminar Flow Hood

Purpose: Provides a sterile workspace to prevent the contamination of experiments.

Biosafety Practices and Procedures

Standard practices: Include safe personal practices like hand washing and general laboratory techniques.
Special practices and considerations: Include specialized procedures for working with specific hazards.
Safety Equipment: Includes barriers to protect the worker from hazards.
Facility Design and Construction: Includes structural elements to protect both the worker and the environment.

Biosafety Levels

Purpose: Increasing levels of employee and environmental protection.
Function: Provide guidelines for working safely in research and clinical laboratories.

Classification of Infectious Microorganisms by Risk Group

Risk Group 1: Microorganisms unlikely to cause human or animal disease.
Risk Group 2: Pathogens that can cause human or animal disease but are unlikely to be a serious hazard to laboratory workers.
Risk Group 3: Pathogens that usually cause serious human or animal disease but do not ordinarily spread from one infected individual to another.
Risk Group 4: Pathogens that usually cause serious human or animal disease and can be readily transmitted from one individual to another.

Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1)

Typical Work Area: Open bench.
Example Microorganisms: S. cerevisiae (yeast), Lactobacillus, B. subtilis.

Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2)

Typical Work Area: Biosafety cabinet/laminar flow hood.
Example Microorganisms: Hepatitis B virus, HIV, Salmonellae, Toxoplasma spp.

Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)

Typical Work Area: Class 3 biosafety cabinet.
Example Microorganisms: M. tuberculosis, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Yersinia pestis, SARS virus, Coxiella burnetti.

Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4)

Typical Work Area: Full isolation suits.
Example Microorganisms: Ebola, Marburg or Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever viruses

Level 1: Focuses on limiting access to the laboratory workspace.
Level 2: Focuses on the security of the lab and the materials within.
Level 3: Focuses on the security of the lab, surrounding area, and materials within.
Level 4: Focuses on the highest levels of security, with strict protocols and controls.

Biosecurity Practices

These practices are implemented to prevent the release of pathogens into the environment and to ensure that harmful agents are not stolen, misused, or used for malicious purposes.

Biosecurity Considerations:

Physical Security: Includes access control, intrusion detection, and response procedures.
Information Security: Includes confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.
Personnel Security: Includes background checks, periodic investigations, and personnel reliability programs.
Transport Security: Includes three-way packaging, knowledge of IATA-certified personnel, and records of internal/external transfers.
Pathogen Security: Includes detailed pathogen inventories, inactiviation and disposal records.
Effectiveness of biosecurity depends on the integrity of those with access to the pathogen.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the principles of biosafety and biosecurity. This quiz covers containment practices, the chain of infection, and laboratory-acquired infections. Understand the importance of protecting both workers and biological materials in laboratory settings.