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SECTION 7: Safe Work Practices and Procedures
7M: Using Hazardous Chemicals in Animal Research
Chemicals that are highly toxic or corrosive, known or suspected carcinogens, reproductive hazards, teratogens, antineoplastic agents and mutagens may be used in animal protocols. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to evaluate potential exposure risks of hazardous chemicals and drugs to lab and animal husbandry staff during:
- chemical preparation
- animal dosing
- husbandry activities, including cage changing and disposal of bedding
Information on hazardous chemicals and drugs can be found at:
Princeton University Environmental Health and Safety Office MSDS page:
http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/MSDS/msds.htm
Common drugs considered hazardous by OSHA:
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_vi/otm_vi_2.html#app_VI:2_1
National Toxicology Program
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/roc/toc10.html
Toxicology Data Network
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/
Assessing Hazards
Exposure risk to hazardous chemicals and drugs is a function of:
- toxicity, half-life and metabolic byproducts of the compound
- method of preparation
- concentration and method of administration
- amount of material present in animal excreta and bedding
- engineering controls, work practices and personal protective equipment
Researchers must:
- Conduct a risk assessment to determine what engineering controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment are needed when working with this material. Communicate this information to laboratory staff expected to work with these materials. See Table 1.
- Determine if the hazardous chemical or drug is excreted, using peer-reviewed literature.
- Contact EHS to determine if animal bedding waste will be considered hazardous waste.
- Communicate to LAR animal husbandry staff if the hazardous chemical or drug will be excreted in animal waste.
- Provide Material Safety Data Sheets to LAR Associate Director.
LAR Associate Directors must:
Review safe work practices, found in Table 1, with LAR husbandry staff.
Table 1
Controlling Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Used in Animal Protocols
|
Preparation of Chemical/Drug |
Administration to Animal |
Husbandry (if hazardous material is excreted) |
Personal
Protective
Equipment |
- Lab coat
- Chemical –resistant gloves
- Safety glasses or goggles
|
- Disposable lab coat, fully buttoned
- Gloves (preferably nitrile)
|
- Scrubs
- Disposable lab coat, fully buttoned
- Shoe covers
- Nitrile gloves
- Surgical mask*
- Safety glasses
|
Work Practices/
Engineering Controls
|
- Prepare solutions in a fume hood (antineoplastic or chemotherapy drugs may be prepared in a certified Class II biosafety cabinet)
- Wash hands upon completion
|
- Use fume hood only if it does not jeopardize sterility required for the procedure; chemotherapy agents can be administered in a Class II biosafety cabinet, with approval from EHS.
- Dispose of uncapped sharps in sharps container.
- Wash hands after removing PPE.
|
Work at ventilated changing station; if not available, wet down bedding and gently dump into waste receptacle. |
Labeling/
Signage |
- Original label must be retained on chemical in storage
|
- If hazardous material will be present in the excreta:
- Label the cages:
- Animals treated with”name of chemical”. Excreta/bedding may be contaminated. Wear gloves, gown, surgical mask, safety glasses and head covering.
|
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Sanitation |
- Protect work area with disposable bench paper
- Follow EHS policy for spill clean-up
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- Clean work surfaces with disinfectant provided by LAR.
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* EHS may recommend use of respiratory protection, depending upon toxicity of agent.
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