Biosafety in Laboratories Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What characterizes a microorganism in Risk Group 1?

It usually causes serious disease and spreads easily.

It poses a high risk to laboratory workers.

It is unlikely to cause human or animal disease. (correct)

It can cause serious disease but has effective treatment.

What defines a microorganism in Risk Group 4?

Moderate individual risk and effective treatments available.

Low risk of causing disease in humans or animals.

High individual risk with limited community transmission.

Highly communicable with serious disease and limited treatment options. (correct)

What is a characteristic of microorganisms categorized as Risk Group 3?

They pose a low individual and community risk.

They can easily be transmitted from one individual to another.

They have effective treatment and preventive measures. (correct)

They usually do not cause serious diseases in humans.

Which statement about Risk Group 2 is true?

The risk of spread of infection is limited. Signup and view all the answers

Which risk group includes pathogens that usually cause serious disease but do not readily spread between individuals?

Risk Group 3 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB)?

To ensure safety in the use of living modified organisms Signup and view all the answers

Which entity established the National Biosafety Framework (NBF) in the Philippines?

Office of the President Signup and view all the answers

What was established under Executive Order 430 series of 1990?

NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON BIOSAFETY OF THE PHILIPPINES Signup and view all the answers

Which organization was founded as a response to the need for guidance in biosafety in North America?

American Biological Safety Association Signup and view all the answers

Which countries are members of the Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association?

SINGAPORE, BRUNEI, MYANMAR Signup and view all the answers

What does the Administrative Order No. 8 from the Department of Agriculture address?

Importation and release of biotechnology-derived products Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the European Biological Safety Association founded?

1996 Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main functions of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP)?

To provide organizational structure for biosafety Signup and view all the answers

What role do BIOSAFETY OFFICERS play in a laboratory?

They ensure proper equipment and facility controls are in place. Signup and view all the answers

Which event in 2001 influenced laboratory biosecurity regulations in the US?

Terrorist attacks and anthrax attacks (AMERITHRAX). Signup and view all the answers

What is a focus of the CEN Workshop Agreement 15793 published in 2008?

Laboratory biorisk management standards. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of biosafety, what do Biosafety Levels indicate?

The required safety measures for handling pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered a pioneer in the field of biosafety along with Arnold Wedum?

Morton Reitman. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change made in the 2012 revision of the SELECT AGENT REGULATIONS?

Creation of two tiers for select agents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the WHO's Laboratory Biosafety Manual published in 1983?

To address guidance for risk assessment and laboratory certification. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of anthrax is considered the most serious form?

Inhalation anthrax. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE)?

To disrupt the chain of infection and prevent disease transmission Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'donning' refer to in the context of PPE?

Putting on PPE properly to ensure effective protection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of gloves as PPE?

Preventing the inhalation of infectious materials Signup and view all the answers

Which biosafety level (BSL) indicates laboratories that study infectious agents not known to cause disease in healthy adults?

BSL-1 Signup and view all the answers

What does doffing involve in the context of PPE usage?

Removing PPE to avoid self-contamination Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of goggles as a type of PPE?

To shield the eyes from infectious materials Signup and view all the answers

Which biosafety level requires more advanced containment measures and is associated with working with agents that may cause serious disease?

BSL-3 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about PPE is true?

PPE should only be used when other control methods are not available Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a Class I Biological Safety Cabinet?

To provide operator and environmental protection Signup and view all the answers

Which class of Biological Safety Cabinet provides both personnel and product protection?

Class II BSC Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of Class III Biological Safety Cabinets?

They are closed, sealed, and operate under negative pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Class II BSCs is true?

They exhaust air outside the building in Class IIB Signup and view all the answers

What safety procedure is required before personnel can exit a BSL-4 laboratory?

They are required to shower and undergo decontamination Signup and view all the answers

In what way does a Class I BSC protect laboratory personnel?

By drawing inward airflow across the work surface Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a function of Biological Safety Cabinets?

Conducting experiments under no pressure conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which type of Biological Safety Cabinet is specifically designed for handling radioisotopes and toxic chemicals?

Class II B BSC Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biosafety for Laboratories

Biosafety Officers ensure proper equipment and facility controls based on laboratory's biosafety level.
Arnold Wedum, US Army Biological Research Laboratories Director (1944), is considered a pioneer of biosafety.
Morton Reitman, with Wedum, analyzed epidemiological studies of laboratory outbreaks in 1966.
Select Agent Regulations (1996) monitor transfer of biological agents between facilities.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2003) provides an international framework for safe transfer, handling, and use of living modified organisms.
National Biosafety Framework (2006, Philippines) strengthens the National Committee on Biosafety.
National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP)(1990) focuses on biosafety organization structure.
Department of Agriculture (DA) (Philippines) covers policies on import and release of bioengineered plants and products.
Department of Health (DOH) (Philippines) works with NCBP to assess health impacts of biotechnology.
American Biological Safety Association (1984) promotes biosafety as a scientific discipline, focusing on North America.
Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association (2005) is a professional society for biosafety professionals in the Asia-Pacific region.
European Biological Safety Association (1996) is a non-profit organization that includes members from various countries.
Risk Group 1 - microorganisms unlikely to cause disease in healthy adults.
Risk Group 2 - pathogens causing disease, but with effective treatment and limited risk of spread.
Risk Group 3 - pathogens causing serious disease, not usually spread from person to person.
Risk Group 4 - pathogens causing serious disease and easily transmissible, with limited treatment options.

Biosafety Levels (BSL)

BSL-1 - basic safety practices, no special equipment needed.
BSL-2 - working with moderate individual risk and low community risk.
BSL-3 - working with high individual risk and low community risk.
BSL-4 - working with high individual and community risk, requiring specialized facilities and protocols.

Containment

Containment protects personnel, work environment, and the community from biological agents.
Bio-containment refers to the same protective measures.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the last line of defense against hazards.
Donning is the proper putting on and use of PPE.
Doffing is the safe removal of PPE to prevent self-contamination.

Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs)

BSCs are enclosed ventilated workspaces offering primary containment.
Class I BSCs provide operator and environmental protection, but not product protection.
Class II BSCs Provide operator, environmental, and product protection, recirculating a portion of air back into the work area.
Class III BSCs Offer maximum protection with a sealed, negative-pressure enclosure, requiring specialized gloves for access.

Suit Laboratories

Suit Laboratories require personnel to wear full-body, air-supplied suits for maximum protection.

Microorganism Classifications

Virulence and pathogenicity - ability of an organism to cause disease
Infectious dose - minimum dose required to cause infection
Environmental stability - ability to survive outside the host
Route/s of exposure - ways an organism enters the body
Communicability - ease of transmission between individuals
Quantity concentration - amount of organism present
Availability of vaccine or treatment - availability of prevention or cure
Gene product effects - effects of the organism's genetic products
Origin of agent - origin of the organism

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the essential concepts of biosafety in laboratory settings. This quiz covers historical figures, regulations, and international frameworks related to biosafety, including notable protocols and national frameworks. Test your knowledge on the safety practices that safeguard public health and the environment.