DCHAS-L Archives, Apr 11 2014 - Re: [DCHAS-L] low pressure spraying of potentially biohazardous materials

Thank you all for letting me know about this CDC document. We are working with one of the Canadian Universities to develop a Teaching Module on Bio-Safety for Engineering Students. One of the Engineering Deans requested we add this topic to a list of 20 plus Safety/Health Teaching Modules we are developing for all Canadian Engineering Students.

Renzo Dalla Via

From: Kathy Rusniak <kathy**At_Symbol_Here**NANO-CYTOMICS.COM>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2014 2:30:23 PM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] low pressure spraying of potentially biohazardous materials

Thank you Margaret.

For "pobio" I was referring to potentially biohazardous materials. Apologies for the confusion. And yes, they are being sprayed on purpose. I was referencing the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen guidance and hadn't looked at the BMBL. I appreciate you forwarding the link. Interestingly enough, another CDC resource (that does specifically mention aerosolization of viral particles) seems to attribute minor significance to the potential risk involved.

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/faq/aerosols.htm

I was hoping someone would have some direct experience with this issue to help clarify the regulatory requirements/expectations.

Best,

Kathy

Kathy Rusniak

Research Engineer

Evanston, IL 60201

On Thu, Apr 10, 2014 at 12:57 PM, Margaret Rakas <mrakas**At_Symbol_Here**smith.edu> wrote:

I am a bit confused and am not sure from your posting if you are thinking of a process where these materials are purposely sprayed (can't imagine what that could be, but...) or are inadvertently sprayed (i.e., from pipetting, or from a tube which breaks in a centrifuge without safety rotors, etc.) I am also not sure whether "pobio" is a typo or a word I just don't know, BUT--

The CDC publishes the BMBL, which pretty much is THE biolab safety standard. Here is what they say (BMBL 5 sect IV BSL2) about BSL2 lab practices and aerosols: "all procedures in which infectious aerosols or splashes may be created are conducted in BSCs or other physical containment equipment." BSL2 rated work is with those organisms which are known to be infectious through ingestion, or contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose), or breaks in the skin. It doesn't include organisms known to be infectious through respiratory exposure (such as tuberculosis), as those are RG3 materials which require BSL3 lab facilities and practices, which are more restrictive...

Maybe you're familiar with (or can recite whole passages in your sleep!) the BMBL, but here is a link
CDC BMBL

best,
Margaret

On Thu, Apr 10, 2014 at 11:12 AM, Kathy Rusniak <kathy**At_Symbol_Here**nano-cytomics.com> wrote:

Hello,

I'm researching the hazards and regulations governing the spraying of potentially biohazardous materials. So far I'm finding that aerosolization of pobio liquids is not considered a likely route of distributing viral particles (Hepatitis, HIV, etc), at least regarding existing technologies (such as dialysis) that have been studied.. Does anyone have experience with this issue or know of specific regulations or sources of information that relate to this issue?

Thank you,
Kathy

--
Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Manager, Inventory & Regulatory Affairs
Clark Science Center
413-585-3877 (p)

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