Managing Biohazards in the Research and Clinical Laboratory: Impact of Recently Enacted Bioterrorism Legislation

The new operative phrase in biohazard management is “Containment and Security”. In the wake of recent bioterrorist events, several rule changes were implemented that demand the attention of the entire Life science Community. These include rules issued under the Public Health Security and Bioterrism Preparedness Act and the USA PATRIOT Act, as well as proposed rule changes for mailing diagnostic and research specimens. If you possess, use, or mail any biological hazard, you should familiarize yourself with these rule changes. This paper will review the rule changes and make recommendations for compliance. (The J Histotechnol 26:67, 2003)Submitted and accepted January 13, 2003