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.
ABSA Biosafety Links provides links to a wealth of biosafety information.
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.
DOE P 434.1 Conduct and Approval of Select Agent and Toxin Work at DOE Sites
This DOE policy provides expectations for the establishment and operation of DOE research laboratories utilizing select agents and toxins.
DOE Report on Inspection of Activities Involving Biological Select Agents
This February 2001 report documents an inspection that looked at whether the DOE had implemented appropriate environment, safety, and health measures regarding the possession and use of biological select agents and select agent materials. Major changes were made at DOE laboratories in response to this report.
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.
GAO Observations on the Oversight of the Proliferation of BSL-3 and -4 Laboratories
This report by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) provides preliminary observations on the oversight of the proliferation of high containment biosafety laboratories (BSL-3 and BSL-4) in the United States.
GAO Call for National Strategy for Oversight of High-Contaminant Laboratories
In this 2009 report, the GAO recommends that the National Security Advisor identify a single entity to be charged with government-wide strategic evaluation of high-containment laboratories. It also recommends that the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture address specific oversight issues regarding high-containment laboratories.
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.
OSHA Infectious Dose White Paper
In this paper, the ABSA addresses a request from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration )SHA) to assess whether infectious doses for organisms could be defined in such a way to potentially develop permissible exposure levels to those infectious agents.
10 CFR 851 Worker Safety and Health Program
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.
Public Health Agency of Canada: MSDS for Infectious Substances
Presents Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for infectious substances. The MSDSs contain health hazard information such as infectious dose, viability (including decontamination), medical information, laboratory hazard, recommended precautions, handling information, and spill procedures.
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.
White House -- Executive Order 13486 – Strengthening Laboratory Biosecurity in the United States
This Executive Order establishes the policy that facilities in the U.S. that possess biological select agents and toxins have appropriate security to protect against theft, misuse, or diversion.
Working Group Report on Strengthening Laboratory Biosecurity in the United States
This working group report discusses the status of, and need to strengthen laboratory biosecurity. This report reviews the effectiveness of current laws, guidance, and practices and it makes recommendations for changes.
World at Risk
The Report of the Commission on the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism. This reports emphasizes the need to limit the proliferation of biological weapons and reduce the risk of bioterror attack.
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."
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 | CDC/NIOSH
A report on developments in nanotechnology workplace safety work conducted by the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center.
Nanotechnology | EPA NCER
Highlights research in nanotechnology by the EPA National Center for Environmental Research (NCER) and provides useful links.
Nanotechnology Research | EPA ORD
Highlights the Nanotechnology Research Program in the EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD). The Nanomaterial Research Strategy (2009) guides the ORD’s program in nanomaterial research.
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.
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.
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.
Managing the Effects of Nanotechnology | WWICS
This report from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars describes potential government actions for dealing with the adverse effects of nanotechnology and discusses what needs to be done to effectively manage nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology Webpage: ETUI
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.
Expert Forecast on Emerging Chemical Risks Related to Occupational Safety and Health | European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
This report focuses on the risks posed by nano- and ultrafine particles.
California Nanotechnology Webpage
The California Department of Toxic Substance Control provides background information on nanotechnology health issues and reports on their nanotechnology symposia.
SCAPA’s Biosafety Working Group
For information on this working group’s activities and membership, see the Biosafety Working Group page.