Ensuring Pathogen Containment for Health and Safety

Image credit: blogs.griffith.edu.au

What is biological containment?

With regard to “Containment,” the concept is generally accepted as “A set of measures including biological containment, practices, safety equipment, and facility safeguards that protect workers, the community and the environment from exposure to and/or unintentional escape of biological material” (adapted from WHO, 2004 ).

What is a physical containment facility?

A physical containment facility (PC facility) is a facility that involves the combination of building, engineering, equipment and practises to handle microorganisms safely. PC facilities are necessary as they reduce, or prevent, the release of pathogens into the environment.

Which pathogens are used in this level of facility?

Pathogens used in this level of facility are Risk Group 1 organisms, or pathogens of a higher Risk Group that have been inactivated. This level of facility is typical for undergraduate or teaching laboratories. In terms of access, anyone who has been trained in the practices for PC1 or higher is allowed entry.

What is a Physical Containment Level 1 laboratory?

AS/NZS 2243.3 specifies four levels of physical containment for laboratories. A Physical Containment Level 1 laboratory is suitable for work with microorganisms where the hazard levels are low, and where laboratory or facility personnel can be adequately protected by standard laboratory practice.

What is a plant pathogen containment facility (PCF)?

Background information on the facility Room 216 of the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) has been designated a plant pathogen containment facility (PCF) and contains three reach-in growth chambers. The PCF is intended for use of plant pathogens whose use in the main greenhouse area is not permitted or undesirable.

What Is Pathogen Containment

1. https://blogs.griffith.edu.au/glycomics/physical-containment-facilities-and-pathogen-risk-groups/
2. https://www.une.edu.au/safety/bio-safety-at-une/working-with-microbial-pathogens-infectious-microorganisms
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosafety_level
4. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41684-020-0644-8
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7162325/
6. https://www.ogtr.gov.au/resources/collections/guidelines-certification-physical-containment-facilities
7. https://theconversation.com/fifty-nine-labs-around-world-handle-the-deadliest-pathogens-only-a-quarter-score-high-on-safety-161777

Pathogen Containment Information

1. https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/biosecurity-containment-level-2-bc2-conditions.pdf
2. https://biosecuritycentral.org/static/8ad64297eefba54011e0f91968d657e4/Mapping+BSL4+Labs+Globally+EMBARGOED+until+27+May+2021+1800+CET..pdf
3. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl3600
4. https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/Fulltext/2015/11000/A_New_Approach_to_Pathogen_Containment_in_the.16.aspx
5. https://btiscience.org/wp-content/uploads/Room-216-General-SOP11-BKBFinal.pdf