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Microbiological Biohazards

Manipulation or propagation of microbiological organisms (parasitic, fungal, bacterial, rickettsial and viral agents) that pose a potential health risk to humans must be done in accordance with current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.

Supervisors must consult the CDC guidelines to determine the risk group and biosafety level required for handling either infectious agents or vertebrate animals infected with such agents. The CDC guidelines cover a limited number of agents; a more extensive list can be found in NIH guidelines, Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard.

Supervisors must register activities involving covered agents with the IBC to assure those applicable laboratory safety practices and recommended containment equipment and facilities are in place and to obtain the proper level of approval prior to initiation of the experiments.