Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-2004-0081-3002, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, New York.
Source
NIOSH 2006 Jun; :1-12
Abstract
On December 19, 2003, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health at the New York University School of Medicine in New York City, New York. The request cited concerns regarding potential employee exposure to aerosolized Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) in an animal biosafety level 3 (ABSL3) laboratory. Specific activities of concern included aerosolizing M. tuberculosis, caretaking of infected mice, using a cryostat to cut infected tissue, and manipulating infected tissue in ways that could generate aerosols. On May 19-21, 2004, investigators from NIOSH conducted a site visit to the facility. Area air samples were collected in the laboratory for airborne M. tuberculosis. Information was gathered and observations were made regarding the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by employees in the laboratory, as well as the current medical surveillance programs in place. Smoke tubes were used to verify the pressure relationships between the rooms of the laboratory. The NIOSH investigators concluded that a health hazard did not exist from exposure to M. tuberculosis. The work practices and procedures provide a high level of protection against potential occupational exposure to M. tuberculosis. No evidence was collected that suggested the M. tuberculosis was being aerosolized outside of contained, controlled chambers. Recommendations are made to continue current safety practices and work procedures and to maintain a schedule of regular maintenance on the laboratory's ventilation system.
Keywords
Region-2; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Personal-protective-equipment; Protective-equipment; Respiratory-protective-equipment; Respiratory-protection; Respiratory-system-disorders; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Infectious-diseases; Infection-control; Ventilation; Laboratory-workers; Laboratories
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB2006-113407
Identifying No.
HETA-2004-0081-3002
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
