Exercise 6: Biological Safety Cabinets

Question 1

any microbiological entity, cellular or non-cellular, naturally occurring or engineered, capable of replication or of transferring genetic material that may be able to provoke infection, allergy, toxicity, or other adverse effects in
humans, animals, or plants.

Answer 1

biological agent

Question 2

any material comprised of, containing, or that may contain

biological agents and/or their harmful products such as toxins and allergens.

Answer 2

Biological material

Question 3

infectious agents or hazardous biological materials that present a risk or potential risk to the health of humans, animals or the environment

Answer 3

biohazard

Question 4

containment principles, technologies, and practices that are implemented to prevent unintentional exposure to pathogens or toxins, or their accidental release

Answer 4

Laboratory biosafety

Question 5

protection, control, and accountability for valuable biological materials within the laboratories, in order to prevent their unauthorized access, loss, theft, misuse, diversion, or intentional release

Answer 5

Laboratory biosecurity

Question 6

Limitations of risk group classification

Answer 6

• does not take laboratory practices into account
• only indicates hazard, not how to handle it
• varies from country to country

Question 7

A microorganism that is unlikely to cause human or animal disease.

Answer 7

Risk Group 1 (no or low individual and community risk)

Question 8

A pathogen that can cause human or animal disease but is unlikely to be a serious hazard to laboratory workers, the community, livestock or the environment.

Laboratory exposures may cause serious infection, but effective treatment andpreventive measures are available and the risk of spread of infection is limited.

Answer 8

Risk Group 2 (moderate individual risk, low community risk)

Question 9

A pathogen that usually causes serious human or animal disease but does not ordinarily spread from one infected individual to another. Effective treatment and preventive measures are available.

Answer 9

Risk Group 3 (high individual risk, low community risk)

Question 10

A pathogen that usually causes serious human or animal disease and that can be readily transmitted from one individual to another, directly or indirectly. Effective treatment and preventive measures are not usually available.

Answer 10

Risk Group 4 (high individual and community risk)

Question 11

the principle of biosafety, used in describing safe methods for managing infectious agents in the laboratory environment where they are being handled or maintained.

Answer 11

containment