Chapter 29 : Biosafety in the Teaching Laboratory

Abstract:

As a general rule, teaching laboratories tend to be densely populated with large numbers of individuals with limited experience in the hazards of a science laboratory. A section of this chapter focuses on college and university microbiology teaching laboratories where hazardous organisms are handled. Numerous common procedures conducted in the microbiology teaching laboratory may create aerosols, including improper sterilization of inoculating loops, centrifugation and microcentrifugation, use of bead beaters or shearing blenders, pipetting, and handling of contaminated animal bedding. Each biosafety level (BSL) is based on the accepted potential hazard of the agent, as well as the general operations of the laboratory. Increasing attention has been focused on the potential for microbiology teaching laboratories to be exploited by terrorists as a means of acquiring agents or knowledge to conduct acts of bioterrorism. While animal and plant pathogens may represent potential threats for misuse as bioterrorism agents, at the same time many of these organisms are invaluable tools in the microbiology teaching laboratory. The selection of appropriate microorganisms and their toxins for instructional purposes in the microbiology teaching laboratory is integral to creating a biologically safe learning environment. The strategic choice of organisms and toxins suited to introductory, intermediate, or advanced course levels complements instructor efforts to increase student awareness of potential biosafety risks, and educates students in good microbiological laboratory practice to minimize those risks. By making safety training a part of every microbiology laboratory, and by providing careful counseling, risks such as exposure to biohazardous microorganisms can be minimized.