Biological Agents

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1. What are biological Agents?

The term biological agent means a micro-organism, cell culture, or human endoparasite which may cause infection, allergy, toxicity or other hazard to human health.

2. What types are there?

It refers to any biological material that may cause a disease or tissue damage to any person coming into contact with them, for example Rabies.
It may include fungal spores, viral particles or bacteria.
It may also refer to some Carcinogens, mutagens and Skin Irritants which affect the human body in either the short term or the long term.

3. Where might they be encountered?

They are most likely to be encountered in untreated or raw animal or vegetable products particularly if not declared “for human consumption”, See Health and Safety for the sampling of Food Products, and therefore not covered by food regulations, (for example Anthrax spores on fur-skins). But they may also be encountered in medical samples & waste products, laboratory materials, see Sampling of Waste.

4. What damage can they cause?

Exposure to a disease not only puts you at risk of catching the disease but you may inadvertently transmit the disease to other people you come into contact with. The incubation of some diseases is quite long and you may remain without symptoms for weeks or months increasing the chances of passing it on. If you clothing becomes contaminated you may also transmit the disease without direct contact with other people.

5. What can be done to reduce the risks?

The risk of biological agents is generally very low as contamination is infrequent, however the potential damage to human health in those cases where they do occur is high.

If you think there is a risk check the documentation and consider:
 

• The type of goods
• The origin (is it well regulated and documented?)
• Purpose of importation

If in doubt take additional precautions:
 

• Work in a well-ventilated area
• Use disposable coveralls
• Use hand, face, and respiratory protection
• Dispose of the PPE appropriately after sampling
• Wash your hands 

6. What if I think I have been exposed to a biological agent?

Depending on the nature of the exposure and the biological agent concerned you may need to:
 

• Report the circumstances immediately to your manager and others working near/with you;
• Seek immediate medical advice;
• Undertake personal decontamination;
• Self-isolate;
• Dispose of all clothing safely or use sterilization procedures;
• Monitor health and check for possible symptoms for a period;

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You must refer to the legislation and the guidance of your national administration for more information.
The guidance contained in this section intended to serve as a general reminder of the risks that are sometimes encountered during the examination and sampling procedure and of the safety equipment that you should use and precautions that you should take.