[Science Tips] Animal Laboratory Biosafety Equipment and Facilities Requirements

★ Risk of animal experiment

   Animal experiments are widely used as an important research tool in life sciences. Researchers are increasingly using animals for research on sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, epidemic hemorrhagic fever, viral hepatitis, leprosy, and rabies. Animal infection experiments from the inoculation of pathogens to the end of the experiment, during which the process of calculation by day, week and month is carried out. During this period, the animals should continue to be fed, hydrated, replaced with litter and cages, etc., in case of pathogens with animal urine. When saliva is discharged, there is a danger that the infectious aerosol will continue to spread to the environment; when the animal is necropsed, the experimenter may also be exposed to the pathogens that have been propagated in the body fluids and organs of the animal; depending on the animal species, it is possible It is bitten by animals and even has the risk of being infected due to the trauma of syringes and scalpels. Therefore, the work of experimental animals in the field of life sciences, when making more and more important contributions to human health, undoubtedly involves certain biosafety issues and a series of potential risks that threaten human health and safety.

1) Aerosol

One of the main causes of laboratory infections in animals is the aerosols released by infected animals. Inhalation, ingestion, inoculation, and skin mucosal contamination are the most common exposure factors for laboratory-associated infections. According to relevant data, about two- thirds of laboratory-related infections are caused by direct contact with pathogens; others are related to laboratory incidents, and about 70% are caused by accidental needle sticks, cuts and spills.

During the animal experiment, when the infected animal breathes, excretes, catches, struggles, escapes and jumps, when the litter is replaced for pathogen infection, during the process of autopsy and pathological tissue, the transmission hazard will occur. Large animal aerosol. To this end, biosafety cabinets should be used to effectively prevent further diffusion of aerosols.

2) Damage caused by animals

When the animal safety laboratory is exposed to infected animals, even if there are corresponding protective measures, accidental injuries, such as bites and scratches of experimental animals, may occur. Laboratory staff should be familiar with the habits and potential hazards of each animal and be equipped with appropriate work clothing and equipment to protect themselves.

If the experimenter is scratched or bitten by an animal, the wound should be treated as a first aid, and the location of the first aid kit should be clearly marked.

3) Animal destruction and escape

The animals in the breeding will inoculate the inoculated pathogens through the respiratory and excreta and other ways to the environment of the contaminated laboratory. If the experimenter is protected or improperly operated, they will be exposed to the pollutants and infected. Infected animals, if they flee the laboratory, spread the pathogenic microorganisms into the environment and transmit them to other wildlife. The consequences are unimaginable.

The construction of animal laboratories should ensure that experimental animals cannot escape, and non-laboratory animals (such as voles, insects, etc.) cannot enter. The design of the laboratory (such as space, access channels, etc.) should meet the needs of the test animals used, and eliminate the possibility of contact between various animals in the wild and experimental animals.

★ Animal laboratory biosafety equipment and facility requirements

In general, the design principle of the Biosafety Animal Laboratory is to achieve three protections: protecting people, protecting experimental animals and protecting the environment. 1 ) Protect personnel from related hazards. Such as infection, allergies, poisoning or being scratched and bitten by animals. 2 ) Protecting animals means ensuring the quality of laboratory animals and ensuring the humanitarian use of laboratory animals. 3 ) Protecting the environment means ensuring that indoor air, sewage and waste (cushion, manure, animal tissue, animal carcasses, etc.) do not pollute the outdoor environment.

★ Processing of animal carcasses

Experimental animals exposed to biological hazards often result in death, and post-mortem examinations of experimental animals should be performed in a Class II biosafety cabinet. Inspectors are required to wear masks, gloves, protective clothing and other special equipment. The necropsy table should be stainless steel for sterilization and thorough cleaning.

All carcasses exposed to biosafety reagents should be placed in a specific container with the species, biohazard nature, date, dose, name, telephone number, and principal responsible. If the animal is injected with an infectious agent, the body is treated at 250 ° C for 8 h and finally thoroughly incinerated. In general, autoclaved waste can be incinerated elsewhere or disposed of in a designated landfill.

★ Animal Laboratory Biosafety Regulations

   Since the 1990s, the introduction and implementation of some norms and regulations have reflected the great importance attached by Chinese government to biosafety, and it also indicates that China's management of biosafety is becoming more and more scientific, standardized, and legalized. The relevant provisions of China's laws and regulations include the following: "People's Republic of China Entry and Exit Animal Quarantine Law", "People's Republic of China Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine Law Implementation Regulations", "People's Republic of China Animal Epidemic Prevention Law", "Veterinary Laboratory Biosafety Management" The Code, the Beijing Municipal Laboratory Animal Management Regulations, etc.

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