Biological spill

Biohazards

Biohazards are microorganisms, microbial toxins, or other biological agents that can infect and/or cause disease in humans, animals, or plants. Biohazards include human blood, body fluid, tissues, and cell lines of human origin, as well as certain bacteria, bacterial toxins, viruses, fungi, rickettsia, prions, protozoans, and parasites. Genetically modified organisms and materials containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are also considered biohazards.

For any biological spill, notify others in the room so they will not unknowingly be exposed or spread the spill. For spills of a large volume, or spills of organisms transmitted via the inhalation route, immediately notify the Principal Investigator (PI) and EHS using the number listed on the contacts page. If someone is injured, call 911 for assistance and notify emergency personnel if you or others are contaminated with biohazardous materials. Personal exposure takes priority over cleanup. If you are exposed, immediately remove contaminated clothing and other protective equipment and wash affected areas with soap and water. If medical follow-up is warranted it should be sought immediately.

Spill kit contents

A spill kit is kept in each area where work with biohazards is conducted. Spill kit contents include: disinfectant (a dilute bleach solution or organism-specific disinfectant), paper towels, gloves, autoclave bags, sharps container, forceps (to pick up broken glass), and a broom and dustpan. A wrap-around laboratory coat and safety glasses should also be available in the kit.

Note: A 1:10 dilution of household bleach and water (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), prepared fresh daily, is effective in most situations. Contact EHS Biosafety/Biosecurity for more information about the selection of disinfectants, particularly for any organisms suspected of being atypical in their sensitivity to disinfectants.

Print a version of the Biological Spill Kit guide.

Biological Safety Level (BSL) classifications

BSL-1 is required for work involving well-characterized agents not known to consistently cause disease in immunocompetent adult humans, and present minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment. BSL-1 organisms may be transmitted by exposure to mucous membranes, ingestion, or injection/skin exposure.

BSL-2 is required for work involving agents that pose moderate hazards to personnel and the environment. BSL-2 organisms may be transmitted by exposure to mucous membranes, ingestion, or injection/skin exposure.

BSL-3 is required for clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research, or production facilities where work is performed with indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease through the inhalation route of exposure.

BSL-4 is required for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose a high individual risk of aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections and life-threatening disease that is frequently fatal, for which there are no vaccines or treatments, or a related agent with unknown risk of transmission. There is no BSL-4 work at ASU.

Clean-up Procedures for BSL-1 and BSl-2 biological spills

Alert others in the immediate area of the incident; notify the PI as soon as possible. If cleanup assistance is needed, contact EHS Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. or the ASU Police or local law enforcement agency non-emergency number listed on the contacts page for after-hours or weekends. Dial 911 if the spill constitutes an emergency.
Put on gloves, safety glasses, and lab coat. If splashing is likely, wear goggles, face shield, and/or N95 respirator.
Cover spilled material with paper towels and carefully pour an appropriate disinfectant onto paper towels in sufficient quantity to ensure effective microbial inactivation, proceeding from the outer edge of the spill to its center. Allow a 20-minute contact time to allow the disinfectant to inactivate the material.
If broken glass or other sharps are present, use forceps to pick up item and discard into SHARPS container.
Remove paper towels and other materials and dispose of in biohazard waste container.
Re-wipe spill area with disinfectant diluted to working strength. Wipe down any contaminated stationary equipment or furniture with disinfectant.
Decontaminate (using an autoclave or approved chemical treatment method) reusable cleanup items and other reusable equipment. Do not autoclave bleach or other hazardous materials.
Wash hands with soap and water.
Notify laboratory personnel and the PI when the cleanup is completed.
Contact ASU Health Services using the contacts page to receive a post-exposure medical evaluation (if necessary).
Complete the accident/injury form on the EHS website.

Clean-up procedures for BSL-3 biological spills

Contact EHS Biosafety/Biosecurity for questions regarding BSL-3 biological spills.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements - summary table

BSL-1	BSL-2	BSL-3
Protective laboratory coats, gowns, or uniforms recommended for preventing contamination of personal clothing.	Protective laboratory coats, gowns, smocks, or uniforms must be worn while working with hazardous materials.	Protective laboratory clothing with a solid-front, such as tieback or wrap- around gowns, scrub suits, or coveralls must be worn.
Eye protection worn when conducting procedures that have the potential to create splashes of microorganisms or other hazardous materials.	Eye and face protection (goggles, mask, face shield or other splatter guard) must be used for anticipated splashes or sprays of infectious or other hazardous materials when the microorganisms are handled outside the Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) or physical containment device.	Eye and face protection (goggles, mask, face shield or other splash guard) must be used for anticipated splashes or sprays of infectious or other hazardous materials. [All procedures involving the manipulation of infectious materials must be conducted within a BSC, or other physical containment devices.]
Personnel who wear contact lenses in laboratories should also wear eye protection.	Personnel who wear contact lenses in laboratories should also wear eye protection.	Personnel who wear contact lenses in laboratories must also wear eye protection.
Gloves must be worn to protect hands from exposure to hazardous materials.	Gloves must be worn to protect hands from exposure to hazardous materials.	Gloves must be worn to protect hands from exposure to hazardous materials.
Respiratory protection should be used in rooms where allergens may be present.	Respiratory protection should be used in rooms containing infected animals.	Respiratory protection must be worn in rooms containing infected animals and when there is a potential for splashes or aerosol generation.

* Safety is improved when PPE is used in combination with physical containment devices or equipment, such as Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs).