Biosafety Information
This page presents biosafety-related information that may be of use to Biosafety Officers and others dealing with biosafety-related issues.
Biosafety-Related Links
The following are a number of useful links to Web-hosted resources that provide biosafety-related information:
American Biological Safety Association (ABSA)
This organization promotes biosafety as a scientific discipline and serves the growing needs of biosafety professionals. Its goals are to represent the interests and needs of practitioners of biological safety, and to provide a forum for the continued and timely exchange of biosafety in formation.
Archives of ABSA Biosafety Forum
Provides links to archived material on the ABSA's Biosafety Forum.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Select Agent Registry (NSAR)
Allows users to view current regulations regarding select agents, download application packages, and access additional resource information. The NSAR program oversees the activities of possession of biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to public, animal or plant health, or to animal or plant product.
CDC Office of Health and Safety - Biosafety Information
Provides links to regulations, publications, guidelines, information sheets, and standards. Of particular note, it provides the document "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL)" 5th Edition. The BMBL can be found in two accessible formats:
Major changes from the 4th to 5th editions of the BMBL are summarized in a Differences Report.
DOE Environmental Safety and Health (ESH) Biological Safety
Provides links to biosafety-related technical documentation, regulations, and inspection reports.
DOE Directives, Regulations, and Standards Portal Home Page
Provides links to DOE Directives. These are official communications of policies, requirements and procedures, including those related to biosafety and emergency response.
EBSA - European BioSafety Association
This organization
is committed to enhancing the knowledge and understanding of biological safety issues throughout Europe. It strives to establish and communicate best practices amongst its members and to encourage dialogue and discussions on developing biosafety and biosecurity issues. EBSA will seek to influence and support emerging legislation and standards in the areas of biological safety, biosecurity, biotechnology, transport and associated activities and will act as a focal point for the consolidation of views on these issues. The Association has individual members, representing over 15 countries in Europe, as well as other regions.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
This committee
is charged with monitoring scientific progress in human genetics research, providing analytical support and technical guidance to other committees and agencies, serving as a liaison with national and international organizations working in human genetics, developing and implementing NIH policies and procedures for the safe conduct of human genetic research.
National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Biosafety Cabinetry
Provides information on programs, policies, and standards related to cabinetry used to safety store biological materials.
Worker Safety and Health Program Final Rule - 10 CFR 851
Provides links to information on DOE’s requirements for worker safety and health. Of particular interest are the biosafety aspects of this program.
Great Lakes Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense: Emergency Response Overview
Presents information on how their Emergency Response Network provides aid during an outbreak related to emerging infectious diseases or an act of bioterrorism.
U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID)
Provides information on medical solutions—vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and information—to protect our service members from biological threats. One useful product is the Blue book on the Medical Management of Biological Casualties.
World Health Organization's (WHO) Laboratory Biosafety Manual
Provides the Introduction to the WHO's Laboratory Biosafety Manual (third edition, 2004). Other sections of this manual are available through the following links:
- Part I - Biosafety Guidelines
- Part II - Laboratory Biosecurity
- Part III- Laboratory Equipment
- Part IV - Good Microbiological Techniques
- Part V - Introduction of Biotechnology
- Part VI - Chemical, Fire and Electrical Safety
- Part VII - Safety Organization and Training
- Part VIII - Safety Checklist
- Part IX - References, Annexes, and Index
WHO's Biorisk Management: Laboratory Biosecurity Guidance.
This 2006 WHO document provides detailed guidance on biosecurity within a biological laboratory and addresses its basic principles and best practices. This document expands on topics initially presented in World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Biosafety Manual.
Pertinent Department of Defense Biosafety Regulations include:
- 32 CFR 627 - Biological Defense Safety Program -- Technical Safety Requirements for the use, handling, shipment, storage, and disposal of etiologic agents
- 32 CFR 626 - Biological Safety Defense Program provides Department of the Army safety policy, responsibilities, and procedures for biological defense operations
Nanotechnology Safety-Related Links
DOE Nanotechnology Heath and Safety
Provides information the Industrial Hygiene/Occupational Safety Special Interest Group (IH/OS SIG) collects and distributes for workers at DOE sites.
DOE NSRC Approach to Nanomaterial ES&H
This document provides non-mandatory environmental safety and health guidance for the DOE’s Nanoscale Science Research Centers (NSRC).
National Nanotechnology Initiative
Provides information on nanotechnology including a link to the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee document "Environmental, Health, and Safety Research Needs for Engineered Nanoscale Materials."
EPA: Nanotechnology
Highlights EPA's research in nanotechnology and provides useful information on related research at EPA and in other organizations.
NIOSH Topic: Nanotechnology | CDC/NIOSH
Provides links to information on the occupational health and safety implications involved in nanotechnology work.
Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace
A report on developments in nanotechnology workplace safety work conducted by the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology - Joint study Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering
Provides information on the UK’s efforts to assess new ethical, health and safety or social issues that are not covered by current regulation.
EPA's Science Policy Council's Nanotechnology White Paper
The EPA’s Science Policy Council has issued this white paper (EPA/100/B-07/001, February 2007) to inform EPA management of the science issues and needs associated with nanotechnology, to support related EPA program office needs, and to communicate these nanotechnology science issues to stakeholders and the public.
Nanoparticles: Health Effects—Pros and Cons
This report in Environmental Health Perspectives (Volume 114, Number 12, December, 2006) highlights the possible toxic human health effects that can result from exposure to ultrafine particles.
New laws needed for nanotech safety?
This report describes potential government actions for dealing with the adverse effects of nanotechnology and discusses what needs to be done to effectively manage nanotechnology.
Nanotechnologies Briefing Pack
This website is operated by the Health and Safety Department of the European Trade Union Institute - Research, Education, Health & Safety (ETUI-REHS). The website provides nanotechnology reference material and provides links to information found on other websites. This website is affiliated with the European NanoCap project which is a consortium of five environmental non-governmental organizations, five trade unions and five universities. NanoCAP aims to deepen the understanding of environmental, occupational health and safety risks and ethical aspects of nanotechnology and explore what the rapid development of nanotechnology will mean for society.
California Nanotechnology Webpage
The California Department of Toxic Substance Control provides background information on nanotechnology health issues and reports on their nanotechnology symposia.
Bio- and Nano- Safety and Security in the News
Reports Blame Animal Health Lab in Foot-and-Mouth Whodunit In September, 2007 Science Magazine reported that neglected, leaky pipes and a record-setting wet summer likely combined to cause a breach in biosecurity at England’s Institute for Animal Health (IAH).
Lapses in Biosafety Spark Concern In September, 2007 Science Magazine reported that an apparent breakdown in biosafety at Texas A&M University resulted in about a dozen safety lapses.
Safety of Nanotechnology Needs More Attention In November, 2006 an Environmental News Service reported on a new study that says the EPA is not doing enough to ensure the safety of nanoproducts.SCAPA’s Biosafety Working Group
For information on this working group’s activities and membership, see the Biosafety Working Group page.