Chemical Safety and Biosafety: Understanding Biohazards

Introduction

• Focus: Biohazards in lab settings, hospitals, research labs, and industries.
• Goal: To identify and control biological hazards to ensure safety.

What are Biological Hazards?

• Biological substances causing harm to humans and animals.
• Can lead to ill health such as infectious diseases, allergies, or toxicity.

Categories of Biological Hazards

1. Genetically Modified Microorganisms
   • Not naturally occurring, should be contained in labs.
2. Cell Lines
   • Used in industrial production; may be contaminated if not handled properly.
3. Biological Toxins
   • Derived from biological agents, especially bacteria.
4. Pathogenic Biological Agents
   • Includes bacteria, viruses, parasitic protozoa, and fungi.
   • Found in water, soil, and foods.

Biological Agents

Bacteria

• Characteristics: Single-celled, simplest unit of life, free-living.
• Structure: Contains DNA, cytoplasm, cell membrane, and cell wall.
• Pathogens: Some bacteria cause diseases (pathogens), while others are opportunistic.
• Transmission: Bloodborne, foodborne, waterborne, airborne.

Viruses

• Characteristics: Non-cellular, require electron microscope to view.
• Structure: Contain DNA/RNA, protected by protein shell (capsid).
• Replication: Cannot reproduce on their own; replicate by hijacking host cells.
• Types: Enveloped or naked.
• Examples: Ebola, Influenza, Hepatitis B, HIV.

Parasitic Protozoa

• Example: Plasmodium (causes malaria).
• Transmission: Vector-borne (by mosquitoes).

Fungi

• Types: Unicellular (yeast) or multicellular (molds).
• Examples: Candida albicans (opportunistic pathogen), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (used in bread making).
• Production: Some produce antibiotics like Penicillin.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

• Use: Produce valuable products like enzymes, hormones, therapeutic proteins.
• Examples: E. coli used for producing insulin.

Cell Lines

• Use: Research and therapeutic protein production.
• Examples: HeLa cells, CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cells.
• Contamination: Risk from organisms like mycoplasma species, Hepatitis B/C, HIV.

Biological Toxins

• Produced by: Bacteria or molds.
• Example: Clostridium botulinum produces neurotoxins.
• Note: Viruses do not produce toxins.

Conclusion

• Remember the four categories of biological hazards for safety and prevention.
• Stay tuned for more information in upcoming videos.