University of Maryland • Safety Fact Sheet • Department of Environmental Safety

Infectious Agents

Introduction

All work with infectious agents (Risk Groups 2, 3, and 4 as listed in Appendix B of the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules) at the University of Maryland (UM) must be registered with and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The NIH/CDC publication, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), defines four levels of biological containment (Biosafety Level 1-4).

Applicable University Policy

VI-17.00(A) - UM Policy on Biosafety

Applicable Regulations

Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories: Defines four levels of biological containment (BSL1, BSL2, BSL3, BSL4), and recommends levels to be used with specific infectious agents.

BSL1: for work with microorganisms not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adult humans.
BSL2: for work with indigenous moderate-risk agents that cause human disease that is rarely serious (moderate individual risk, low community risk).
BSL3: for work with indigenous or exotic agents with a potential for respiratory transmission that cause serious or lethal human disease (high individual risk, low community risk).
BSL4: for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose a high individual risk of life-threatening disease, which may be transmitted via the aerosol route, and for which there is no available vaccine or therapy (high individual and community risk).

Summary of Requirements

IBC registration and approval of all work with infectious agents.
Containment level for work with infectious agents is determined by IBC based on a risk assessment and the recommendations in BMBL.

Training

The Principal Investigator is responsible for providing or arranging for appropriate training of all personnel who work in BSL2, BSL3, or BSL4 laboratories. The Biosafety Officer is available to provide training upon request.

Reporting

No reporting requirements.

Inspections

There are no specific requirements for inspections. However, the Department of Environmental Safety (DES) conducts annual inspections of BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories.

Recordkeeping

DES maintains records of registrations approved by the IBC.

Written Program

A Biosafety Manual must be prepared or adopted by laboratories working at the BSL2 level of containment or higher. DES has prepared a Biosafety Manual for use by university laboratories.

University Resources

Department of Environmental Safety 301-405-3960
Biosafety Officer 301-405-3975
University Health Center (Urgent Care) 301-314-8162
DES Fax No. 301-314-9294
DES Web Site: http://www.des.umd.edu
Biosafety Manual http://www.des.umd.edu

Written 5/98
Revised 3/04
Reviewed 4/05

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