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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #311092
Title: Biosafety and containment plan & design for direct sampling of operating effluent decontamination tanks

Author
item Balzli, Charles
item Moresco, Kira
item Swayne, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/12/2014
Publication Date: 2/2/2015
Citation: Balzli, C.L., Moresco, K.A., Swayne, D.E. 2015. Biosafety and containment plan & design for direct sampling of operating effluent decontamination tanks [abstract]. USDA ARS 3rd International Biosafety & Biocontainment Symposium: Biorisk Management in a One Health World. Final Program. p. 6. (ID #42)

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Currently, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory (SEPRL) uses an effluent decontamination system (EDS) that serves as an enhancement, or extra barrier for biocontainment. Wastewater effluent from (A)BSL-3E and (A)BSL-2E laboratories is collected in tanks for thermal inactivation (180°F for 30 minutes) of microorganisms that inadvertently enter the drainage system. The EDS and thermal process has not been directly validated, only demonstrated experimentally to inactivate RNA and DNA viruses and Salmonella. The purpose of this study plan is to create a temporary containment and sampling system for validation of the EDS. Biosafety and containment are paramount because possible BSL-3 material (e.g., highly pathogenic avian influenza) will be sampled from an operational tank in a non BSL-3 space. The approach is to install a dual valve system that pipes effluent into a sealed, negative pressure, HEPA filtered glovebox as primary containment. Glovebox containment will be validated through positive and negative pressure decay tests (± 3 in of H20) and visual leak check with a detection compound. Total air flow will be measured at the glovebox intake and internal negative pressure will be monitored. The whole system will be housed within a freestanding, negative pressure, vinyl room offering secondary containment with single pass, linear air flow and HEPA filtered exhaust. The secondary containment unit will be validated by the manufacturer after installation. Once the sampling system is operational, there will be restricted access to the building. Proper PPE will be donned/doffed in an ante-room of the secondary containment unit. Materials and samples will be transferred through a disinfectant bath and air-lock chamber attached to the glovebox. BSL-3 standard operating procedures will be used for sample collection, transport, decontamination and disposal. After EDS validation, the plumbing will be internally decontaminated with disinfectant and primary and secondary containment will undergo standard fumigant decontamination before removal.