Some noteworthy facts about biosafety that you should know

 

Martin Lloyd Sanders has expertise in health and safety practices because he has immersed himself in the industry's various aspects that he has practiced in for the longest time. He is well-versed in biosafety and today shares some noteworthy facts on this subject.

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1. Biosafety is understood as preventing large-scale loss of biological integrity, which places a special focus on ecology and human health. Functionally, biosafety is heavily relied upon to protect from harmful incidents. For instance, laboratories handling biohazards employ an ongoing risk management assessment and enforcement process for biosafety, notes Martin Lloyd Sanders. Failure in this could lead to catastrophic consequences.

2. Nowadays, with the looming shadow of the pandemic, it's easy to associate biosafety with viral outbreaks. While this is true, this is by no means an exclusive affair that pertains to human health alone. Biosafety is also a concern in the agricultural industry, and it does not affect only animals but also plants. For instance, when a plant disease has been detected out of genetically modified plants, containment measures are employed to isolate it from the natural environment.

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3. There is no one fixed set of parameters that defines biosafety. Most industry scholars believe in the importance of continuous research to proceed and uncover problems and solutions. The science in biosafety is well-used in military and national defense, especially where biological warfare is concerned. It is also a key factor in Mars exploration, as all scientists agree that no biological contaminants from our planet should reach Mars and vice versa.

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, is a public health professional and was the Director for Safety, Environmental Compliance and Emergency Management in Federal Occupational Health (FOH/PSC). He also served as Chief Scientist for USPHS from 2013 to 2017. Visit this page for similar reads.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.

The four levels of biocontainment: A review

 

For obvious reasons, Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders believes that now is as prudent a time as any for a quick review of the four biocontainment levels. These Biological Safety Levels (BSL) are a series of protection protocols to safeguard laboratory personnel and the surrounding environment and community. These levels were set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and based on what is being contained. 

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BSL-1

The most basic of the levels, BSL-1, is implemented with low-risk microbes that pose little-t0-no threat to humans, microbes like the non-pathogenic E. coli strain. No isolation is required, just the immediate decontamination, hand-washing, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

BSL-2

BSL-2 is for moderate health hazards such as staph infections and HIV. It involves everything required in BSL-1, as well as additional protocols and methods for decontamination.

BSL-3

When working on indigenous or exotic microbes, BSL-3 is usually effective. These microbes, which can potentially be dangerous when inhaled, require more safety protocols such as solid-front wrap-around gowns and scrub suits and a self-closing set of locking doors accessible away from general corridors. Yellow fever and the West Nile virus are examples of microbes under BSL-3, notes Martin Lloyd Sanders.

BSL-4

Reserved for the deadliest microbes that are on the same level as Ebola, BSL-4 uses protocols from BSL-3 and adds the decontamination of virtually everything before leaving the area. It also requires a Class III biological safety cabinet and more of the highest-level safety and security materials and equipment.

As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., received the prestigious Derek Dunn Memorial Scientist Officer of the Year award in April 2007 and three outstanding service medals and commendation medals as part of the USPHS Commissioned Corps. For more reads on public health, visit this website.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.