Biosafety publications

 

For more information contact:
The Biosafety unit
Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response
Porton Down
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP4 0JG
email: biosafety@hpa.org.uk
Telephone: 44 (0)1980 612392

• Sterility assurance testing of cannula needles
  We tested the sterility of terminally sterilised medical devices (cannula needles) to ensure that the packaging was able to maintain the sterility of the product over its intended shelf life, transport and storage conditions.
  Added/updated: 25 October 2010
  
• Evaluating the risk of aerosol generating procedures in intensive care units, and the potential for occupational exposure
  The Biosafety unit has led a national study in hospitals to determine whether patients in intensive care units (ICUs) undergoing certain procedures pose an influenza risk to healthcare workers (HCWs).
  Added/updated: 29 October 2010
  
• Evaluating the survival of microorganisms in aerosols using the Goldberg Drum
  The Biosafety unit has biocontainment facilities to investigate the ability of organisms to remain infectious whilst in an aerosol state.
  Added/updated: 25 October 2010
  
• Evaluating the risk of exposure to Legionella pnuemophila at a spa
  The Biosafety unit carried out a risk assessment for the presence of aerosolised L. pneumophila at a natural spring spa.
  Added/updated: 25 October 2010
  
• Chemical and biological substances decontamination study for Mars missions and terrestrial applications
  This project was funded by the European Space Agency to investigate systems to clean the inside of a spacecraft that will be occupied for a long period of time, such as a manned mission to Mars.
  Added/updated: 27 October 2010
  
• Decontamination in primary care (dentistry)
  The HPA have carried out studies to assess decontamination in acute care, primary care and dental practices.
  Added/updated: 29 October 2010
  
• Decontamination of air-fed suits used in high containment microbiology laboratories
  The Biosafety unit designed a study to assess the level of removal of indicator organisms (bacterial spores) from air-fed suits.
  Added/updated: 29 October 2010
  
• Sterility assurance studies
  The HPA has the unique capacity to undertake bespoke simulation studies to assess sterility assurance for commercial medical products for the healthcare sector.
  Added/updated: 29 October 2010
  
• Biofilm studies
  Biofilm studies assess the efficacy of antimicrobials incorporated into surfaces of a range of medical products such as catheters, dental surfaces, and hospital surfaces. We use continuous culture studies to simulate biofilm survival conditions, to test a wide range of control mechanisms in the medical and healthcare sectors.
  Added/updated: 29 October 2010
  
• Protein removal from surgical instruments
  The HPA has developed a number of rapid process indicator enzymes that are used to provide real-time monitoring of the efficacy of disinfectant activity, particularly in field settings.
  Added/updated: 29 October 2010
  
• Prion decontamination studies
  The HPA has conducted decontamination and disinfection studies to assess the efficacy of active agents against prions, including using ozone technologies or wet chemistries against a range of prion agents of relevance to human disease.
  Added/updated: 29 October 2010
  
• Real Life Scenario Testing of the Anti-Microbial Properties of Surface Decontamination Foam
  A bespoke disinfectant to assess the efficacy of disinfectant, initially used for military purposes against a range of healthcare associated microorganisms, including: MRSA, MS-2 coliphage, B. atrophaeus and C. difficile.
  Added/updated: 29 October 2010
  
• Development of a complimentary low temperature sterilisation method
  The European Space Agency (ESA) funded a project to investigate alternative low-temperature technologies for decontamination of space hardware.
  Added/updated: 29 October 2010
  
• Commercial testing of centrifuges for the containment of microbiological aerosols to protect laboratory workers
  Commercial centrifuge manufacturers work with the Biosafety unit to test centrifuges, as well as new rotors, lids and bucket seals that retain the microbiological samples inside the centrefuges.
  Added/updated: 25 October 2010
  
• Would a homemade mask protect you from influenza?
  We found that both homemade and surgical masks significantly reduced the number of microorganism expelled by the coughs of volunteers. However, the surgical mask provided a level of protection approximately three times higher than that of the homemade mask, and provided a much better fit.
  Added/updated: 25 October 2010
  
• Evaluation of the survivability of microorganisms used in breathing filters on hospital ventilators
  This study assessed whether breathing filters present in ventilating machine could be a potential reservoir for the survival and growth of bacteria and mold spores.
  Added/updated: 25 October 2010