In 2007, the ISAC Bio-safety Committee published standards for sorting unfixed cells (Cytometry, Cytometry Part A 71A:414-437, 2007). These standards are a valuable resource and offer guidance for proper operator protection, risk assessment and instrument validation.
However, in an effort to create new standards and to address complex risk assessment issues, the ISAC Bio-safety Committee together with a special NIH Safety Committee and the ABSA (American Biological Safety Association), have formulated the attached survey. The primary goal of this survey is to update the standards and in particular to clarify the risk assessment procedures for the assignment of bio-safety practices when sorting infectious or potentially infectious samples, i.e. to match engineering controls with potential risk. Furthermore, the results will provide a foundation for modernizing the risk assessment to reflect the present knowledge and occupational safety practices as outlined in CDC document, BMBL (2007, 5th ed.) and other national and international standards.
If you operate or are directly responsible for the operation of a cell sorter, please take time to fill out this important survey and add your valuable insight to the next generation of bio-safety standards for cell sorting.
We ask that there be one response per laboratory, so that we do not receive duplicate responses.
Thank you in advance for your help with this effort and please visit http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22AEMDPQVPH to participate.
Kevin L. Holmes, Ph.D.
Member of the ISAC Bio-safety Committee
Chief, Flow Cytometry Section
Research Technologies Branch
Bldg. 4, Room B1-38
Phone: 301-496-9071
FAX: 301-402-4532
Email: kholmes@niaid.nih.gov
NIAID, NIH, DHHS
Stephen P. Perfetto, MS.,MT. (ASCP)
Chairmen of the ISAC Bio-safety Committee
Director, Core Flow Cytometry Facility
Vaccine Research Center, NIH
Building 40
40 Convent Dr., Room 5507
Bethesda, MD 20892-3015
email: sperfetto@nih.gov
Phone: (301) 594-8659