Principles and Practices of
Biosafety
Environmental Health and Safety
San Diego State University
Abbreviations
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BSC – Biosafety Cabinet
BSL – Biosafety Level
ABSL – Animal Biosafety Level
BSO – Biosafety Officer
BUA – Biological Use Authorization
CA – California
CDC – Center for Disease Control and
Prevention
DGR – Dangerous Goods Regulations
DOT – Department of Transportation
EHS – Environmental Health and
Safety
EPA – Environmental Protection
Agency
HMR – Hazardous Materials
Regulations
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IACUC – Institutional Animal Care
and Use Committee
IATA – International Air Transport
Association
IBC – Institutional Biosafety
Committee
IRB – Institutional Review Board
NIH – National Institute of Health
OSHA – Occupational Health and
Safety Administration
PI – Principal Investigator
PP – Physical Plant
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
PS – Pubic Safety
SD – San Diego
USPS – U.S. Postal Service
Introduction
The management of biological hazards through the
proper application of engineered containment and
administrative controls is referred to as biosafety
or biohazard control.
Biosafety or biohazard control is a team effort
involving the PI, research lab personnel, BSO,
IBC, IRB, IACUC, EHS, PP and PS.
Regulatory Requirements and
Guidelines
NIH Guidelines for Research Involving
Recombinant DNA Molecules (April 2002)
 CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and
Biomedical Laboratories (May 1999)
 CAL/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
 CA Medical Waste Management Act
 DOT Transportation of Hazardous Materials
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SDSU Biosafety Requirements
and Guidelines
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Policies established by the Institutional Biosafety
Committee (IBC) that meet or exceed applicable
guidelines and regulations for use of RG 2 and
RG 3 biohazardous materials or agents as well as
non-exempt NIH Recombinant DNA research.
Policies established by Environmental Health and
Safety (EHS) that meet or exceed applicable
regulations and guidelines for minimizing
bloodborne pathogen exposure and disposal of
biohazardous wastes.
Biohazardous Material
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Infectious microorganisms
(bacteria, viruses, fungi,
parasites, prions,
rickettsiae, etc.) affecting
humans and animals
Diagnostic (clinical)
specimens
Recombinant DNA (viral
vectors, gene therapy,
cloning)
Genetically Modified
Microorganisms
(transgenic plants and
animals)
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Human and non-human
primate cells, cell culture
(primary and
immortalized), tissues,
blood (whole blood or any
components) and body
fluids
Animal or plant cells, cell
cultures, fluids, tissues or
derived wastes which
may contain pathogens
Animals known to be
reservoirs of zoonotic
disease