BIOHAZARD SAFETY & WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE LABORATORY — Key Terms

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Vocabulary flashcards covering biohazards, risk groups, biosafety levels, containment principles, documentation practices, waste management, and sample handling as presented in the lecture notes.

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36 Terms

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Biohazard (biohazard)

Biological substances that pose threats to human health, animals, or the environment.

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Biohazard sources

Origins of biohazards include microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites), biological toxins, and human/plant/animal tissues.

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Biological hazards

Biological substances or agents capable of causing infection, toxicity, or other harm.

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Biological Agent Risk Group (RG)

Classification of biological agents into RG1–RG4 based on pathogenicity, transmissibility, and availability of prevention or treatment.

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Risk Group 1

Low risk; unlikely to cause disease in healthy humans.

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Risk Group 2

Moderate risk; can cause human/animal disease but is unlikely to be a serious hazard; effective treatment is available.

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Risk Group 3

High risk; usually causes serious disease; may not readily spread; effective treatment and preventive measures are available.

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Risk Group 4

High risk; readily transmissible with life-threatening disease; no vaccines or treatments available.

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Biological Agent Risk Group vs Biosafety Level

RG categorizes agents by hazard; BSL defines the containment level required to handle them safely; they are not the same.

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Biosafety Level (BSL)

Containment conditions (practices, equipment, facilities) required to safely handle a biological agent.

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BSL-1

Basic containment for well-characterized, low-risk organisms; open bench work with standard practices.

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BSL-2

Moderate hazards; restricted access; work with potential infectious agents requires BSC for procedures that create splashes/aerosols.

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BSL-3

Indigenous or exotic agents with respiratory transmission; requires directed airflow, enhanced containment, and often separate facility zones.

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BSL-4

Maximum containment for dangerous exotic agents with high mortality and no vaccines or therapy; Class III BSC or full-body positive-pressure suit; separate building.

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Primary barriers

Barriers in direct contact with the agent (e.g., PPE, biosafety cabinets) that provide initial containment.

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Secondary barriers

Facility design features (e.g., controlled airflow, separate rooms, autoclave) that provide additional containment.

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Containment

Measures and facilities that prevent release of agents and protect people and the environment.

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Biosafety

Containment principles and practices to prevent unintentional exposure to pathogens and toxins.

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Biosecurity

Protection, control, and accountability to prevent loss, theft, or misuse of biological materials.

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Biosafety Cabinet (BSC)

A primary containment device used for handling infectious materials to protect personnel and the environment.

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Autoclave

Equipment that sterilizes by using high-pressure steam to kill pathogens in waste and materials.

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BSC classes (Class II/III)

Class II cabinets provide containment while allowing airflow; Class III are full-body, gas-tight cabinets for high-risk work.

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Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA)

Systematic process to identify hazards and assess risk to select appropriate safeguards.

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Good Documentation Practices (GDP)

Standards for recording data clearly, legibly, and traceably; includes ink permanence and correction procedures.

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Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

Quality system ensuring data quality and reliability in laboratory work and studies.

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Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Documented, step-by-step instructions for performing a task to ensure consistency.

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Waste segregation

Sorting waste at the source into categories (sharps, liquids, solids) for safe disposal.

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Sharps waste

Needle-like or sharp items stored in puncture-resistant containers and disposed of per regulations.

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Liquid waste

Liquid biosafety waste typically disinfected (e.g., with bleach) before disposal.

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Solid waste (infectious)

Solid infectious waste that may require autoclaving before disposal by licensed waste collectors.

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Biohazard symbol

Warning symbol displayed on doors/containers when infectious agents are present.

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Waste disposal methods

Disposal by licensed waste collectors; autoclave or chemical disinfection as required.

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3Ps (Protect User, Protect Sample, Protect Environment)

Safety principles emphasizing protection of personnel, samples, and the surrounding environment during handling.

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Isolation and airlock concepts

Design features (anodoor/airlock, directional airflow) to minimize cross-contamination in high-containment labs.

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Hygiene and PPE in BSL-2/3/4

Personal protective equipment (lab coats, gloves, eye/face protection) and hygiene practices required for higher containment levels.

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Biohazard sample management

Systematic handling of samples from receipt through storage, testing, and disposal with proper GDP/GLP.