This question focuses on safety breaches that can potentially occur at laborator

Question

This question focuses on safety breaches that can potentially occur at laboratories that handle, store and test dangerous and hazardous agents. A recent New York Times article (https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/12/science/cdc-closes-anthrax-and-flu-labs-after-accidents.html). reported the Director of the CDC (Dr. Thomas Frieden) saying the following regarding the recent anthrax mishandling episode at the CDC: “when you work with it day in and day out, you can get a little careless,” Dr. Frieden said. “The culture of safety needs to improve at some C.D.C. laboratories.” What do you think about the Director’s comments? Are they valid? Can you provide some recommendations for how the culture of safety at the CDC laboratories can be improved?

Explanation / Answer

While handling infectious bacteria or microorganism extra care and precaution needs to be taken to reduce the adverse affect. The CDC labs are an example of high risk to Anthrax so many employees were exposed to Anthrax bacteria while handling and managing the same with improper precautions. As per the director his point is valid because when researchers handle the bacteria again and again day and night, they tend to get casual with the same. The approach of handling infectious gets casual.

The best way to resolve such issue is to be careful and not operate the laboratory processes without using the highly secured and protective gears. The use of such highly reactive microorganism must be handled by experts under strict condition and regular trainining on handling must be available.

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