UBC-RMS-OHS-RD Reference Document 002 Department of Risk Management Services Effective date: September 2015 Review date: N/A www.rms.ubc.ca Supersedes: N/A

Biological Toxin Inactivation 1. SCOPE 1.1. This reference document provides directions for inactivating biological toxins used in research.

2. PURPOSE 2.1. To provide guidance to all members of the research community on acceptable methods of biological toxin inactivation. 2.2. To provide investigator clear methodology on proper inactivation of biological toxins.

3. RESPONSIBILITY 3.1. It is the responsibility of supervisor to ensure that they and their personnel know and implement proper handling, inactivation and disposal of hazardous substances used in the laboratory, including biological toxins.

4. PROCEDURE

Depending upon the specific toxin used, toxin inactivation by be done by steam sterilization, dry heat or chemical inactivation. Alternatively incineration may be required for toxin inactivation.

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Heat Inactivation

Depending upon the specific toxin used, dry or moist autoclaving may be used for toxin inactivation. Alternatively incineration may be required for toxin inactivation. The table below shows the susceptibility of specific toxins to heat inactivation.

Toxin Dry Heat (10 min) Steam 200 F 500 F 1000 F 1500 F Autoclave 1 hr , 121C 94C 260 C 538 C 816 C Abrin Yes Anthrax Brevetoxin No No No No Yes (Pb Tx-2) Botulinum No No No No No Cholera toxin Yes Diphtheria Yes toxin Microcystin No No Yes Yes Yes Palytoxin No No Yes Yes Yes Pertussis toxin Yes Ricin Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Saxitoxin No No Yes Yes Yes Staphylococcal Yes Incomplete Incomplete Incomplete Incomplete Enterotoxin Tetrodoxin No No Yes Yes Yes T-2 mycotoxin No No No No Yes Tetanus toxin Yes

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Chemical Inactivation

Depending upon the specific toxin used, oxidizers or alkaline agents may be used for toxin inactivation. Lower molecular weight toxins are not susceptible to steam sterilization and must be incinerated or chemically inactivated. The table below shows the susceptibility of specific toxins to chemical inactivation.

Toxin NaOCl * NaOH NaOCl + NaOH Comments 30 min 30 min 30 min Abrin Heat inactivation is No No No recommended Anthrax Lethal 0.5 % NaOCl is Toxin 0.5% No No recommended for spill cleanup. Brevetoxin (Pb 2.5 % NaOCl is Tx-2) 2.5 % ND ND recommended for spill cleanup. Botulinum 0.1 % NaOCl or .025 N NaOH for 30 min is 0.1 % 0.25N ND recommended for spill cleanup. Cholera toxin 0.5 % NaOCl is 0.5 % ND ND recommended for spill cleanup. Diphtheria toxin 0.5 % NaOCl is 0.5 % ND ND recommended for spill cleanup. Microcystin Alkalinity is the 0.5 % ND 0.25 % + 0.25N inactivation factor. Palytoxin Alkalinity is the 0.1 % ND 0.25 % + 0.25N inactivation factor. Pertussis toxin 0.5 % NaOCl is 0.5 % ND ND recommended for spill cleanup. Ricin 1.0 % NaOCl is 0.1 % ND 0.1 % + 0.25N recommended for spill cleanup. Saxitoxin 1.0 % NaOCl for 30 0.1 % ND 0.1 % + 0.25N min is recommended for spill cleanup.

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Toxin NaOCl * NaOH NaOCl + NaOH Comments 30 min 30 min 30 min Staphylococcal SEB is heat stable. Enterotoxin 0.5 % 0.25N ND Inactivation is with 0.5% NaOCl for 15 min. Tetrodoxin 1.0 % NaOCl for 30 0.5 % ND 0.1 % + 0.25N min is recommended for spill cleanup. T-2 mycotoxin 2.5 % NaOCl + .025 N NaOH for 4 hr is 2.5 % ND 0.25 % + 0.25N recommended for spill cleanup. Tetanus toxin 0.5 % NaOCl is 0.5 % ND ND recommended for spill cleanup.

* Note: NaOCl concentrations refer to Sodium hypochlorite, not household bleach. The concentration of NaOCl in household bleach is 5.25%. A dilution of 1 part household bleach in 9 parts liquid is a 0.525% solution.

When using Sodium hypochlorite or Sodium hypochlorite with Sodium hydroxide to destroy toxins, work in a fume hood or Class IIB biological safety cabinet and wear a long sleeved lab coat or gown, gloves and eye protection.

Access & Inventory Control

All biological toxins kept in the laboratory must be included in Section 3.8 (Biological Inventory) of the Biosafety Permit Application done through the Office of Research Services website. This inventory must be updated annually. Within the laboratory, an ongoing inventory of biological toxins must be kept that includes the amount remaining on hand.

5. REVIEW AND RETENTION This document is reviewed annually or whenever deemed necessary by the responsible departmental representative in Risk Management Services.

6. DOCUMENT APPROVAL

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Initial Creation Date: August 2015 History: N/A Revised By: N/A Creator Research Advisor, RMS Name Janet Hankins Stephanie Thomson Date August 2015 2015 Name Date

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