|
|
|
|
Safety and Security
- Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories are explicitly designed to protect both the research scientists and the public from exposure to the biological agents used in research. The design team for George Mason University’s Biomedical Research Laboratory (BRL) comprises the world’s leading experts in designing and building BSL-3 laboratory facilities. The design principle used to ensure the safety of the facility is described as “a-box-within-a-box-within-a-box.” Testing of aerosolized agents will occur within sealed BSL-3 chambers within laboratory modules that also provide BSL-3 protection. These laboratories are completely contained within the facility’s outer building. Air leaving the BSL-3 laboratories will pass through multiple HEPA filters.
- The BRL is designed in compliance with laws, regulations, and policies imposed by state and federal governments, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other accrediting agencies that govern the construction, use, security, inspection, and certification of BSL-3 laboratories, including safeguards to ensure the proper containment and destruction of infectious agents. Operating and training protocols must be in place before the facility is certified to operate by the responsible federal agencies.
- To safeguard against outside intrusion, the BRL will be situated inside a secured perimeter in accordance with federal standards. It will not be visible from the roadway. Access-controlled building entrances will have security checkpoints that include a physical barrier and security personnel on duty around the clock, every day; closed-circuit television monitors showing camera images; and alarm indicators.
- All personnel who have access to or work with select agents are required by federal law to undergo an FBI background check and fingerprinting.
- Only minute quantities (measured in milligrams) of biological agents will be stored and handled in the BRL. In the unlikely event of an accidental release into the environment, light, oxygen, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors would kill most agents. The limited amount of material that might remain viable outside the controlled laboratory setting would likely be dispersed and diluted to levels that would not cause infection.
- All personnel who have access to or work with select agents are required by federal law to undergo an FBI background check and fingerprinting.
- Before entering the laboratory area, personnel are required to remove street clothing, shower, and put on personal protective clothing, including a gown, gloves, and goggles. When leaving, they must remove protective clothing and shower before changing back into street clothing. Protective clothing is sterilized before being laundered. Biological suits are not worn in a BSL-3 laboratory, and portable ventilation is used, as necessary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
