Team:EPF-Lausanne/Safety

From 2011.igem.org

(Difference between revisions)
(Interview with Dr. Stéphane Karlen, Biosafety Coordinator at the EPFL)
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a. Risks to the safety and health of team members or others in the lab?
a. Risks to the safety and health of team members or others in the lab?
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Our project involves the use of E.coli strains that have been used by countless generations of biology researchers without the slightest incident. No health risks are involved. Both for the experiment's own success and for the safety of others, all bacterial manipulations (cell cultures, glycerol stocks, mini-preps) that involve exposing bacteria to the air of the lab require the use of a Bunsen burner. Moreover, disposing of all bacteria is a two-step process. First, one must bleach the receptacle containing the bacteria (fill its contents with bleach) under the fume hood. The bleached mixture is then poured into a special canister which is treated separately. Second, all cell pellets or dry receptacles containing or having contained cells must be placed in a special biowaste bag, clearly labelled for that specific use. This bag is then disposed of, every week, by a special team from the Life Sciences building. These precautions, coupled with the usual wearing of nitrile and latex gloves at all times, are adequate to the task of maintaining the safety and health of our iGEM team.  
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Our project is part of a Level 1 biosafety lab, meaning that our work involves the lowest level of risk. The E. coli strains we use are harmless and are used world-round with no health risks associated. Both for the experiment's own success and for the safety of others, all bacterial manipulations (cell cultures, glycerol stocks, mini-preps) that involve exposing bacteria to the air of the lab require the use of a Bunsen burner. Moreover, disposing of all bacteria is a two-step process. First, one must bleach the receptacle containing the bacteria (fill its contents with bleach) under the fume hood. The bleached mixture is then poured into a special canister which is treated separately. Second, all cell pellets or dry receptacles containing or having contained cells must be placed in a special biowaste bag, clearly labelled for that specific use. This bag is then disposed of, every week, by a special team from the Life Sciences building. These precautions, coupled with the usual wearing of nitrile and latex gloves at all times, are adequate to the task of maintaining the safety and health of our iGEM team.  
b. Risks to the safety and health of the general public if released by design or accident?
b. Risks to the safety and health of the general public if released by design or accident?
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There is no risk to the public if these bacteria are ever released into the public.   
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There is no known risk to the public if these bacteria are ever released into the public.   

Revision as of 09:59, 2 September 2011