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Work with FACT SHEET Biological

The University of Utah Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews registrations for work with, possession of, use of, and transfer of acute biological toxins (mammalian LD50 <100 µg/kg body weight) or toxins that fall under the Federal Guidelines, as well as the , both natural and recombinant, which produce these toxins

Toxins Requiring IBC Registration Laboratory Practices Guidelines for working with biological toxins can be found The following toxins require registration with the IBC. The list in Appendix I of the Biosafety in Microbiological and is not comprehensive. Any with an LD50 greater than 100 µg/kg body weight, or on the select agent list requires Biomedical Laboratories registration. Principal investigators should confirm whether or (http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/i not the toxins they propose to work with require IBC ndex.htm). These are summarized below. registration by contacting the OEHS Biosafety Officer at [email protected] or 801-581-6590. Routine operations with dilute toxin solutions are conducted using 2 (BSL2) practices and these must be detailed in the IBC protocol and will be anthracis factor verified during the inspection by OEHS staff prior to IBC Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin Botulinum approval. BSL2 Inspection checklists can be found here (http://oehs.utah.edu/research-safety/biosafety/ toxin biosafety-laboratory-audits). All personnel working with difficile toxin biological toxins or accessing a toxin laboratory must be toxins trained in the theory and practice of the toxins to be used, (DTX) with special emphasis on the nature of the hazards Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) associated with laboratory operations and should be toxin familiar with the of toxin exposure. This includes how to handle transfers of liquids containing Pfeisteria spp. toxin(s) toxin, where to place waste solutions and contaminated materials or equipment, and how to decontaminate work Shiga-like inactivating areas after routine operations, as well as after accidental Shigatoxin spills. The worker must be reliable and sufficiently adept at Staphylococcal all required manipulations before being provided with T-2 toxin toxin. Laboratory work with toxins should be done only in Tetanus toxin (TTX) designated rooms with controlled access and at pre- determined bench areas. When toxins are in use, the room PIs or their delegates working with acute toxins must should be clearly posted: “Toxins in Use—Authorized complete the General Laboratory Setup and Biological Personnel Only.” Registration Wizards in BioRAFT. The information must be supplemented by completion of the Biological Toxin registration form, which can be found here, and a hygiene Plan.

125 South Fort Douglas Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT 84113 801.581.6590 | oehs.utah.edu Researchers workingtoxin with s houlda be vaccinated if a Per sonal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available (e.g. , tetanus toxin). Work with biological toxins shall be conducted using Routine operations with dilute toxin solutions are BSL2 PPE: conducted using BSL2 practices and facilities shall be used • Disposable gloves – consider the use of double gloves for activities involving biological toxins. These include: for enhanced protection. Ensure your gloves are • Biohazard signs and labels must be displayed in areas compatible with any solvent your toxin may be and on equipment where biological toxins are used and dissolved in. stored. This includes, but is not limited to, laboratory • Lab coat or back-closing disposable gown entrance doors, biological safety cabinets, chemical • Eye protection (safety glasses or goggles) fume hoods, refrigerators, and freezers. Use a biological safety cabinet (BSC) or a chemical fume Decontamination and Spills hood for resuspension of biological toxins or Tox in stability varies considerably outside of physiological manipulations of stock solutions of toxins that can conditions depending upon the temperature, pH, ionic generate , such as pipetting, harvesting, strength, availability of co-factors and other characteristics

infecting cells, filling tubes/containers, and opening of the surrounding matrix. Inactivation procedures should sealed centrifuge canisters. When using an open-fronted not be assumed tbo e 100% effective without validation fume hood or BSC, workers should wear suitable using specific toxin bioassays. laboratory PPE to protect the hands and arms, such as laboratory coats, smocks, or coveralls and disposable Exposures gloves. are available for some biological toxins and • Whenever possible, use needle-free techniques to immediate medical “first-aid” interventions may help resuspend biological toxins. prevent or lessen the severity of the reaction. If you know or • If a quantity of powder-form toxin must be weighed, suspect a biological toxin exposure. then the scale must be located in a certified chemical fume hood. • Irrigate the site of exposure • When conducting liquid transfers and other operations o If exposure was by needle stick or other that pose a potential splash or droplet hazard in an route which breaks the , wash with open-fronted hood or BSC, workers should wear safety soap and water for 5-15 minutes and cover glasses and disposable facemask, or a face shield. with a bandage. • Toxin should be removed from the hood or BSC only o If exposure was by splash to eyes or mucus after the exterior of the closed primary container has membranes, irrigate thoroughly for 15 been decontaminated and placed in a clean secondary minutes at an appropriate eye wash container. Toxin solutions, especially concentrated stock station. solutions, should be transported in leak/spill-proof • Report to your Laboratory Supervisor and the secondary containers. Biosafety Officer IMMEDIATELY. Seek medical Centrifugation of cultures or materials potentially attention as outlined in your laboratory specific containing toxins should only be performed using sealed, safety manual. thick-walled tubes in safety centrifuge cups or sealed rotors. The outside surfaces of containers and rotors should be For More Information See: routinely cleaned before each use to prevent contamination The University of Utah Biosafety Manual.

that generate an . After centrifugation, the entire rotor assembly is taken from the centrifuge to a BSC to open Visit the OEHS website: oehs.utah.edu it and remove its tubes. or contact OEHS at 801581-6590