Multiple protocols have been developed by the Office of Animal Resources (OAR) and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) for use of hazardous materials in animals.  These protocols should be submitted along with the Animal Protocol for review by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).  A PDF version is available from the IACUC Administrator or at their website.

Four containment protocols are available for use of biological hazards (including recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules) in animals. The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) determines which animal biosafety level must be used, primarily based on the agents used in an approved rDNA Registration Document (rDNARD). Special protocols have been developed for Animal Biosafety Level 1 (ABSL1), Animal Biosafety Level 2a (ABSL2a) and Animal Biosafety Level 2c (ABSL2c) for small animals or Animal Biosafety Level 2n (ABSL2n) for large animals. Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) is described within the Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility manuals.

Two containment protocols are available for use of chemical agents in rodents.  Both antineoplastic (cytotoxic) and hazardous drugs fall under the Class 1 agents category. Please consult Class 1 Chemical Agents for a current list of chemicals subject to The Class 1 Chemical Agents containment protocol.  Acute toxins (current listing provided in the link), pesticides, RCRA chemicals, and newly developed drugs will require a separate protocol.  Additionally, use of hazardous chemicals in animals other than rodents will require consultation with the Chemical Hygiene Officer.

Contact information and areas of expertise can be found on the Contact Us page.

Disposal practices

Whether or not recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules have been administered to an animal, most carcasses/tissues are double-bagged in plastic biohazard bags and staged for disposal by placing the bag(s) in “biohazard” labeled containers located within the walk-in coolers, refrigerators, or freezers of each animal facility. Exceptions to this policy are outlined below:

  • Drosophila species
    • Euthanize followed by autoclaving and disposal in “biohazard” labeled containers or regular trash OR
    • Euthanize followed by disposal in “biohazard” labeled containers.
  • Caenorhabditis elegans
    • Dispose in “biohazard” labeled containers
  • Danio rerio (Eggs, Fry and Adults)
    • Euthanize followed by autoclaving and disposal in “biohazard” labeled containers or regular trash, OR
    • Euthanize followed by disposal in “biohazard” labeled containers.
  • Xenopus species (Eggs, Tadpoles and Adults)
    • Euthanize followed by autoclaving and disposal in “biohazard” labeled containers or regular trash, OR
    • Euthanize followed by disposal in “biohazard” labeled containers.

All animals, in which recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules have been administered, must be properly treated/decontaminated prior to final disposal. Stericycle will properly treat and dispose of animal carcasses and tissues which are placed into the “biohazard” labeled containers located in the animal facilities. Any animal disposed of in the laboratory (Drosophila, C. elegans, D. rerio, or Xenopus) must be properly treated before disposal, regardless of the assigned animal biosafety level.