Use of Hazardous Agents in Live Animals

PURPOSE: 

The intent of this policy is to define the requirements and process for the review and approval of protocols that propose the use of biological hazards, chemical hazards and/or radioactive materials in live animals.

REFERENCE: 

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 8th edition, page 20. 

DEFINITIONS:

Hazardous Biological Agents – These include biological agents such as infectious organisms, biological toxins, recombinant DNA, animal tissues, etc.

Hazardous Chemical Agents, Radioactive Materials and Ionizing Radiation Sources – These include chemical agents (such as carcinogens, irritants, mutagens), radioactive hazards, and ionizing radiation such as X-rays.

POLICY: 

Hazardous Biological Agents: The use of hazardous biological agents in live teaching or research animals requires the approval of Appendix F by an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) to secure approval of the animal care and use protocol. The Principal Investigator (PI) is the primary person responsible for ensuring that each person handling hazardous agents and the animals is trained prior to their use. If you are unsure whether the agent you are working with falls under IBC oversight, please contact grants@uwlax.edu.

Hazardous Chemical Agents, Radioactive Materials and Ionizing Radiation Sources: The use of hazardous chemical agents, radioactive materials and/or ionizing radiation sources in live teaching or research animals requires written approval of Appendix I by UWL’s Environmental Health and Safety Officer to secure approval of the animal care and use protocol. The Principal Investigator (PI) is the primary person responsible for ensuring that each person handling hazardous agents and the animals is trained prior to their use. If you are unsure whether the agent you are working with falls under Environmental Health and Safety oversight, please contact dsweetman@uwlax.edu.

PROCEDURE FOR UW-LA CROSSE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:

• The PI completes the Animal Care and Use Protocol including Appendix F (for biological agents) and/or Appendix I (for chemical agents and radioactive materials) and submits the documents to the IACUC office (IACUC@uwlax.edu)for review by the committee.
• In addition, The PI submits a copy of the Animal Care and Use Protocol (including appropriate appendices) along with any other required paperwork (e.g. IBC forms) to the appropriate safety committee for review.
  • For hazardous biological materials, paperwork should be submitted to UWL’s IBC (grants@uwlax.edu).
  • For hazardous chemical agents, radioactive materials and/or ionizing radiation sources, paperwork should be submitted to UWL’s Environmental Health and Safety Officer (dsweetman@uwlax.edu).
• Once these appendices/forms have been approved, the PI will forward this approval to the IACUC office so that it can be included with the Animal Care and Use Protocol.
• The PI may not begin any animal experiments until they receive approval from all appropriate oversight bodies including the IACUC.

PROCEDURE FOR NON UW-LA CROSSE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:

• The PI completes the Animal Care and Use Protocol including the appropriate appendices and submits the documents to the IACUC office (IACUC@uwlax.edu) for review by the committee.
• The PI submits a copy of the Animal Care and Use Protocol, including appendices, to their institution’s appropriate safety committee, along with any other required documentation.
• When the appropriate paperwork has been approved and signed by their institution’s safety committee, the PI forwards the approval letter to the IACUC office so that it can be included with the Animal Care and Use Protocol.
• The PI may not begin any animal experiments until they receive protocol approval from the IACUC.

REQUIRED LABLEING:

• All animals exposed to a hazardous agent must be identified with a red hazardous agent cage/tank card. Cards must be placed on the front of the cage/tank at the time of exposure with the agent used, the dosage, and date/time the animal was dosed/exposed. Hazardous agent cards must be maintained on the cage/tank for 72 hours after last dosing AND until contaminated bedding/water is changed, unless a longer time frame is required.
• If the PI will be changing the cages/tanks, include “DO NOT CLEAN” on the hazardous agent card so that husbandry personnel are not inadvertently exposed to the hazardous agent.
• Door signs with the following information must be posted at time of exposure: PI, Contact Information, Hazardous Agent, Biosafety Level and Entry Requirements (PPE)

WASTE DISPOSAL

For hazardous biological agents, contaminated materials (e.g. carcasses, cage waste, etc.) are put into red bio-hazard bags and stored in a freezer prior to autoclaving and disposal.

For hazardous chemical agents and radioactive materials, arrangements must be made with UWL’s Environmental Health and Safety Officer (dsweetman@uwlax.edu) to determine appropriate containment, storage and disposal procedures for contaminated materials.

Adoption Date: 4/8/14
Amended: 2/5/16, 5/10/16, 2/9/24
Reference minutes: 4/8/14, 1/18/16, 5/10/16, 12/1/23