Recommended biocontainment features for research and diagnostic facilities where animal pathogens are used. First International Veterinary Biosafety Workshop.

Recommendations are presented for the minimum structural components, special utilities, installations, and other design and operational features which define a microbiologically-secure animal containment facility. These biocontainment parameters are expected to enable the safe housing and handling of livestock and poultry infected with pathogenic agents. Physical testing and certification requirements for commissioning such facilities are described.

Microbiological hazard from the exhaust of a high-vacuum sterilizer.

Data are presented which show the potential for release of viable microorganisms into the atmosphere from high-vacuum steam sterilizers during the evacuation cycle preceding application of steam under pressure. Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores, Serratia marcescens cells, and T1 coliphage disseminated into the sterilizer chamber as small particles from liquid suspensions, and dried spores of B.

Biohazards assessment in large-scale zonal centrifugation.

A study was conducted to determine the biohazards associated with use of the large-scale zonal centrifuge for purification of moderate risk oncogenic viruses. To safely and conveniently assess the hazard, coliphage T3 was substituted for the virus in a typical processing procedure performed in a National Cancer Institute contract laboratory. Risk of personnel exposure was found to be minimal during optimal operation but definite potential for virus release from a number of centrifuge components during mechanical malfunction was shown by assay of surface, liquid, and air samples collected during the processing.

Paraformaldehyde for surface sterilization and detoxification.

Paraformaldehyde powder, depolymerized by heat, produced formaldehyde gas that was effective in sterilizing laboratory rooms, a mobile laboratory trailer, various surfaces, fiberglass filter medium, and specialized laboratory equipment. A sporulating and nonsporulating strain of bacteria, a virus, and a bacterial toxin were used as test agents. The dissemination procedures and equipment, the assay techniques, and the facilities and equipment sterilized were described.