Publisher's Synopsis
The book describes how to handle hazardous materials in various Biosafety levels, use microbiological good laboratory practices and maintenance of various biosafety cabinets. It is written with the needs of biosafety and biosecurity in mind. The same procedure is fully applicable whenever biohazard materials are handled in life science laboratories. The manual encourages persons who engage in the microbiology laboratory to accept and implement basic concepts in biological safety and to develop national codes of practice for the safe handling of pathogenic microorganisms in laboratories within their geographical borders. It provides international leadership in biosafety by addressing biological safety and security issues facing us in the current millennium. This book stresses the importance of personal responsibility, risk assessment, safe use of recombinant DNA technology, and transport of infectious materials.
Recent world events have revealed new threats to public health through deliberate misuse and release of microbiological agents and toxins. The book introduces biosecurity concepts - the protection of microbiological assets from theft, loss, or diversion, which could lead to the inappropriate use of these agents to cause public health harm.
