Experiments Involving BiohazardsNo hazardous agents (infectious, oncogenic, radioactive or chemical) may be used in any animal facility without being cleared by the IACUC. The use of radioactive materials requires additional approval by UMBC radiation safety office. If special caging and care are required, Veterinary Resources (VR) must be contacted well in advance (prior to submitting an animal protocol is recommended). The VR faculty and facilities personnel of VR are available for consultation and advice on matters relevant to animal housing, care and use when biohazard agents are proposed. UMBC's Office of Environmental Safety and Health provides guidance for biosafety and experimentation and use of biohazardous agents. See the Laboratory Safety Guide for further information – online version at http://www.umbc.edu/safety/. If radioactive substances, infectious organisms, toxic chemicals, or chemical carcinogens are to be used in-vivo, the following points must be addressed in your protocol to the IACUC: Biosafety Level Concentration Route of administration Duration of exposure Length of time animals will be kept following exposure Room location where agent is administered Location of animal housing post exposure Method of animal disposal We must protect the health of our employees and others. Those who attend to the care and housing of your animals may not be familiar with the nature of hazards being used. Therefore, we require the necessary information on the agent to best safeguard those who work with the animals. |
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Last updated 04/28/2008 |
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