Biosafety in different types of laboratories of Argentina

C. STANGANELLI; ALOISI N.; CANALEJO K; COSTA H.; NARBAITZ M.; SALAMONE G.; GOLDSTEIN DE FINK S

México DF

Simposio; 3er Simposio Mexicano de Bioseguridad y Biocustodia.; 2011

Amexbio

The WHO promotes safety conditions and protocols controls to ensure safe manipulation of biological agents, in order to avoid or reduce laboratory acquired infections among lab workers and its spread to the community. Biosafety has been considered a public health issue by the World Health Organization Assembly (a).In order to evaluate the situation in research, development and clinical laboratories (b) in Argentina, 85 students, either laboratory or health care workers, participating from Laboratory Biosafety Courses were asked to reply to a survey on Biosafety/Biosecurity subjects. The 30 questions considered more representative were chosen for this report. We regard these answers as reflecting the real situation in the corresponding laboratories, because of the interest in Biosafety expressed by the participants.Results: 1) Training: 36% are trained in Biosafety and chemical spills containment, 52% in fire emergency, 54% in biological material spills and 49% as first aiders.2) Over 75% of the surveyed individuals keep locked dangerous goods or costly equipments, have washing basins in the lab, use disposable plastic instead of glass items and plastic transfer pipettes instead of needles and syringes. From 60 to 75% have protecting clothing and personal protection elements available, equipment decontamination procedures prior to maintenance, organized waste management, perform periodic check ups of safety cabinets, fume hoods, autoclaves and other pressurized containers, and exit signaling and lightening. Between 50 and 59% limit the amount of combustible chemicals inside the laboratory, get special indications for fertile age women, have first aid boxes available, fire alarm systems, an adequate immunization program and sterilization procedures check up. Between 40 and 49% report enough working space, well organized installations, eye washing equipment and perform risk evaluation. Thirty three percent periodically decontaminate centrifuges. Between 29 and 26% have safe storage areas and emergency showers. Only 20% keep accidents and diseases records. Best solved issues: substitution of glass for plastic material; availability of protective clothing and other personal protection elements, while registrations of accidents or work related illness are among the worst. Practices and organization changes may still be used to improve the described conditions without further costs.