Research Safety

Ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, preventing injuries while facilitating research

Hazards include• Biological• Chemical• Radiological/Lasers• Fire/Life Safety• Ergonomics• Reproductive Health• Emergency preparedness

EH&S is here to help• Review and sign off on “Certificates of Compliance” from funding agencies

• Assist researchers in lab renovations, remodels, high hazard equipment purchase/use

• Evaluate hazards related to biological, radiological, chemical agents used in research

• Report non-compliance or concerns to Deans, Chairs, and AVC Research

Biological Safety and Controlled Substances

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

• Federally mandated for institutions that received NIH funding

• Intended to assist researchers to determine risk

• Faculty run, EH&S administered• Electronic submission system, IMEDRIS

• Non-compliance could result in loss of funding to entire campus

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

Research protocols must be submitted for work involving:

• Infectious Agents (herpes virus, Chlamydia, HIV, salmonella)

• Recombinant DNA ( transgenic animals, human gene therapy, tg plants, viral vectors)

• CDC Select Agents and Toxins (anthrax, botox, ricin)

• Human/NHP material (stem cells, established cell lines, blood, etc)

Controlled Substances and Chemical Precursors

• Regulated by DEA• Schedule I-IV

– Ketamine– Pentobarbital, Euthasol– Poppy sap– Cocaine

• Chemicals used to create narcotics, street drugs– Piperidine– Thionyl Chloride

Controlled Substances• Campus has 1 DEA license!• All deviations from DEA regs and UC policy jeopordize research for entire campus

• Requirements include:– Submission of CSUA – Training– Personnel screening ( possible future background checks)

– Inventory control, security, annual and unannounced inspections by CS staff

Fire Safety

Fire/Life Safety• Researchers use different type of hazardous materials

• Regulated by different state agencies

• Campus Fire Marshal regulates many of these materials by use of:– State Fire code, CCR Title 19,– NFPA – building code regulations.

.

Fire/Life SafetyRegulated Chemical Materials examples include:

• ExplosivesRegulated on a case by case basis

• PyrophoricsRegulated by maximum allowable quantities per control areaPermitted in sprinklered buildings only

• Highly ToxicsRegulated by maximum allowable quantities per control area

• Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Gases, & Solids

Regulated by maximum allowable quantities per control area

Campus Fire MarshalsScott Jackson 824-9665jacksons@uci.eduLab Design & Construction

Dale Saunders 824-4077dsaunder@uci.eduFire Prevention

Responding to Cal/EPA Reporting Requirements

for Nanomaterials

What are Nanomaterials?.

Nanoparticle Pigments Pollen Table Salt

(0.001 – 0.1 μm)

1 – 100 nm

(1 – 10 μm) (10 – 100 μm) (100 – 1000 μm)

The diameter of a human hair is ≈ 500,000 nm

Very Small particles, usually < 100nm in their longest dimension.Poorly soluble.

Nanoparticles

Nanoflowers Single Wall Carbon Nanotube

Rods, Wires, Shapes Quantum Nanodots

Examples of nanomaterials

• Carbon nanotubes

• Bucky Balls• Fullerenes• Quantum Dots• Core shells• Dendrimers• Diamondoids• Nanoonions

• Nanofibers• Nanowires• Nanocomposites• Nanorods• Nanofilms• Nanocapsules• Nanoclusters• Nanocrystals

UC Irvine EH&S

Variety of applications• Improved target drug delivery systems for cancer treatment

• Sunscreens• More efficient storage in batteries, fuel cells, efficient catalytic converters

• Protective and glare reducing coatings and paints

• Stain resistant clothing• Food storage

Nanomaterials in Consumer Products: The Personal Care Industry Leading

the Way

(Photo by David Hawxhurst-Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.)

UC Irvine EH&S

What does government want?

Letter to President Yudof and Chancellor– UC needs to provide answers to specific questions about

nanomaterials we make or use on campus– Currently, not much information known about environmental

impact and health and safety effects of nanomaterials

UC GOAL

Provide information about use of nanomaterials, disposal, and safe work practices, analytical procedures, fate and transport of these nanomaterials, amounts used and disposed

Future Application of Data

• Responses will help implement green initiative laws and “Toxics Information Clearinghouse”

• Information will establish foundation for regulatory policy in California, nationally, internationally

UC Irvine EH&S

UC Irvine EH&S

QUESTIONS?www.ehs.uci.edu

Chemicals, NanomaterialsRebecca Lally, 45730 rrlally@uci.edu

Biologicals, Controlled Substances, Occupational Health

Sheila Hedayati, 49888shedayat@uci.edu

Fire/Life Safety, Building Codes Scott Jackson, 49665jacksons@uci.edu