Biological Hazards Flashcards
Infectious agents or their products that cause human disease.
Biological Hazards
Example Biological Agents
Bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, bites or stings, allergens, and toxins.
Simple, one celled organisms that come in three basic shapes. Coccus (spherical), Bacillus (rod shaped), and Spirillum (twisted)
Bacteria
Tick borne illness caused by borrelia burgdorferi caused by deer ticks. Ticks must be attached 36 to 48 hours or more in order for the bacteria to be transmitted.
Lyme Disease
Disease caused by bacteria that lives in fresh water and rarely causes sickness. Bacteria can grow if the water is not maintained.
Legionnaire’s Disease
Disease caused by bacteria that can spread through the air and spreads from person to person through coughing, speaking, sneezing, or singing. Common for health care workers, nursing homes, or homeless shelters.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Primarily passed among animals. Humans become infected when in contact with these animals or the food of the animals that are infected. Present in meat packing industry, laboratories, and livestock producers.
Brucellosis
Disease caused by the bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Affects humans and animals and most common in temperate or tropical climates. Spreads through the urine of infected animals which can get into water or soil. Hazard for outdoor workers.
Leptospirosis
Disease also known has rabbit fever or deer fly fever. Caused by the francisella tularensis bacterium. Humans become infected by tick or deer fly bites, skin contact with animals, contaminated water, aerosols, dust, or lab exposure.
Tularemia
A bacterial disease which spreads from the bite of an infected tick. Susceptible to people who work outdoors.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Caused by the bacteria Coxiella Burnetti which is natural in some animals such as goats, sheep, and cattle. i. Humans can be infected by breathing in dust that has been contaminated with feces, urine, or milk, or after helping animals give birth. 1. Ranchers, vets, meat processing industries.
Q Fever
Smallest of all microbes. Only reproduces from host cells. Cannot reproduce by themselves. Not considered living.
Viruses
An acute liver disease that will not cause chronic infection and is usually transmitted person to person through the fecal- oral routes or consumption of contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis A
Transmitted when blood, semen, or other bodily fluids from an infected person enter an uninfected person by skin puncture or splashing into their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Hepatitis B
Bloodborne virus transmitted only through blood or bodily fluids.
Hepatitis C
Viral disease of mammals which effects the central nervous system. Causes brain disease and death.
Rabies
Transmitted to humans from the dry droppings, urine, or saliva of mice or rats.
Hantaviruses
Commonly known as Avian or bird flu. Caused by infection with AIV’s. Type A is usually found in birds but can also infect humans.
Avian Influenza
An organism that lives in another organism called the host and often harms it. Depends on the host for survival.
Parasite
Mosquito borne disease that manifests in humans with fevers, chills, and a flu like illness. Uncommon in temperate climates, common in tropical climates.
Malaria
Caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells and spread by ticks.
Babesiosis
: Results from infection with the toxoplasma gondii parasite. Most common parasite. Considered to be the leading cause of death attributing to food-borne illnesses. From eating under cooked or contaminated meats.
Toxoplasmosis
Caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite. Burrows into the upper layer of the skin and lays eggs. Relevant in nursing homes, extended care, prisons, and child care.
Scabies
Naturally occurring organisms and they are essential to making organic matter decay. Produce spores that easily transport through the air. Can cause asthma or allergies, rashes, or infections on the skin and nails, lung infections, or blood stream infections.
Fungi
Examples of Fungi
Mildews, molds, rusts, and yeasts.
Affects the lunges and caused by the fungus Hisoplasma Capsulatum. Grows in soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Soil becomes airborne when soil is disturbed. Relevant in construction, environmental remediation, agriculture workers, and HVAC.
Histoplasmosis
An infection caused by Aspirgillus a common mold. Found in soil, plants, and decaying plant matter, house dust, building materials, spices, and some food items. Causes allergic reactions and body organ infections. Affects those with weakened immune systems.
Aspergillosis
Also called Thrush. A fungal infection of the candida species. Is a skin or mucus membrane infection and can also enter the blood stream. Relevant from dishwashers, bartenders, cooks, bakers, and poultry workers.
Candidiasis
Also called valley fever is a fungal disease caused by coccidioides which are found in the soil of semi-arid areas. Relevant in construction, agriculture, military, and archeological workers.
Coccidiodomycosis
Zika virus, west nile virus, dengue, and malaria are diseases that can be transmitted from what insect?
Mosquito
Condition which occurs when plant allergens and their toxins are released after the leaves of a plant is damaged.
Contact Dermatitis
An inflammation of the lungs due to breathing inorganic dusts, fungi, or molds.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis that can be caused by breathing in dust from moldy hay.
Farmers Lung
3 Common infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease.
Hep B, Hep, C, HIV
OPIM stands for?
Other Potentially Infectious Materials
Regarding Biological Controls, the term “Universal Precautions” refers to what?
The treatment of all human blood and other potentially infectious materials.
There are 5 categories within Universal Precautions. What are they?
- Engineering Controls
- Administrative and Work Practice Controls
- Vaccinations of Employees
- PPE
- Laboratory Biological Safety Program
Examples of Engineering controls within the Universal Precautions
- Sharps disposal containers
- Safer medical devices
- Engineered sharps injury protection
- Needless Systems
Examples of Administrative and Work Practice Controls within the Universal Precautions
- Hand Washing
- Flushing Eyes
- Proper Housekeeping
- Procedures on how to handle packaged specimens
Examples of Vaccinations of Employees within the Universal Precautions.
- Gloves
- Gowns
- Lab Coats
- Masks
- Face Shields
- Eye Protection
Examples of Laboratory Biological Safety Program within the Universal Precautions.
- Identify hazards within the lab and their corresponding controls.
- The objective of the safety program is to contain any harmful or potentially harmful biological agents from inside the controlled environment.
Three basic elements of the Laboratory Biological Safety Program.
- Lab standard operating procedures SOP
- Safety Equipment
- Facility Design
Three types of Biological Safety Cabinets
- Class 1: Partial containment cabinets
- Class 2: Laminar Flow Cabinet, downward flow of HEPA filtered air creates a contaminant free zone.
- Class 3: Gas tight negative pressure cabinets and have a physical barrier between the biological agent and the worker.
What are the 4 Bio-containment Levels
- BSL-1
- BSL-2
- BSL-3
- BSL-4
Describe BSL-1
The lowest bio containment level. Used when working with well characterized biological agents not known to cause disease in humans.
Describe BSL-2
Uses the same controls as BSL-1, but suitable for biohazards that have moderate exposure potential. Has stricter access control, requires biohazard handling training, and more in depth SOP’s.
Describe BSL-3
Used in research, diagnostic, and production facilities where the biological agents being handled may cause serious or fatal disease. Same requirements as BSL-2, but has additional protective designs such as a double door access and sealed penetrations.
Describe BSL-4
Used when working with biological agents that pose a high risk of aerosol transmitted infection resulting in severe or fatal disease for which vaccinations or no other treatments are available. These labs require self-contained PPE, oxygen supply, and the facility has features that destroy all traces of the biohazard.
