I just wanted to add a few comments on the use of "masks" for respiratory protection from bioaerosols. It is usually desirable to use engineering controls (e.g. ventilation, physical isolation) when addressing hazards. Accordingly, I prefer Simon's approach to using a customized "hood" or biological safety cabinet when aerosol exposure is a concern, rather than respiratory protection. You can read more about biological safety cabinetry here http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bsc/bsc.htm. Engineering controls should be routinely evaluated to ensure proper function. Having said that, engineering controls may not always be feasible. If you choose to wear a mask to achieve respiratory protection, be aware that the typical dust mask or cloth mask (often distinguished by a rubber band that goes around the head for support) used in the healthcare industry provides little protection from inhaling aerosols. They are primarily designed to prevent contact from sprays and splashes. In the U.S., any mask (i.e. respirator) that is used to protect employees from an airborne hazard should be certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This will be clearly marked on the packaging. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a regulation which requires a documented medical examination prior to using a respirator, a fit-testing procedure to ensure proper protection, and a host of other requirements. You can read about OSHA's respiratory protection regulation here: http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/index.html My advice would be to use a respirator which meets N95 protection. That is, HEPA filtered respirators that are designed to remove 95% of all aerosols 0.3 microns in size and achieves even greater efficiencies for larger/smaller particles. This type of respirator is accepted by the US CDC and OSHA as protection against M.Tb (read about it here: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/99-143.pdf? ) so it is certainly suitable for FC applications. Personally, I think the risk of airborne transmission of pathogenic agents from sorting many human cells is quite low. If you are sorting respiratory cells, the story may be different since airborne pathogens are more likely to reside there. Just my opinion. Also Bill, you said "My users "say" that they have all been tested". Tested for what? Just HIV I suppose. There are a slew of other pathogenic agents that I would be concerned about with far higher incidence in the population, that may have documented cases of transmission via aerosol (unlike HIV). My point is that all human cells should be handled as if they are infectious (i.e. universal precautions) unless they have been tested for all possible pathogens. Best of luck in proceeding safely! Tom Leonard At 09:59 AM 5/15/01 -0400, Simon Monard wrote: >I would not sort primary human or primate material without some sort of >aerosol >containment, wearing a mask for more than an hour or two is very >uncomfortable. I have >a custom Class one type hood on my Vanatge > > > >Simon Monard >FACS Lab Manager >Trudeau Institute >Saranac Lake >NY12983 > >Ph 518 891 3080 X352 > > > >>> Bill Nostrom <bnostrom@caregroup.harvard.edu> - 5/11/2001 2:28 PM >>> > >Hi All > >What are your thoughts about the safety in sorting primary human cells? >I am concerned that with the sorters, aerosols are produced and anything >biohazard can fly about the room. My users "say" that they have all been >tested, but they also get samples from all over the world. An >additional factor is that my sorter is in the same room as my FACScan, >so am I potentially risking others to a biohazardous environment? Should >I make it policy that anyone who works in the lab wear a mask? Your >thoughts are appreciated. > >Regards , >Bill Nostrom >Lab Manager >Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center >Boston, Mass *********************************** R. Thomas Leonard, M.S., CSP, CBSP Safety Officer The Wistar Institute 3601 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 (ph)215-898-3712 (fx)215-898-3868
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Jan 05 2003 - 19:01:19 EST