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General Laboratory Practices

The following information applies to all laboratories housing biological materials. Information for specific biosafety levels will follow.

Routes of Infection
An infection occurs when disease-causing microorganisms enter the human body in sufficient numbers and by a particular route and overcome the body's defense system. The following routes of infection have been reported for laboratory-acquired infections:

1. Through the mouth 

• Eating, drinking and smoking in the laboratory
• Mouth pipetting
• Transfer of microorganisms to mouth by contaminated fingers or articles 

2. Through the skin

• Accidental inoculation with a hypodermic needle, other sharp instrument or glass
• Cuts, scratches

3. Through the eye

• Splashes of infectious material into the eye
• Transfer of microorganisms to eyes by contaminated fingers

4. Through the lungs 

• Inhalation of airborne microorganisms

Most of the laboratory-acquired infections reported in the literature point to accidents during work with some type of infectious agent. These include spills, splashes and accidents involving needles or other sharp objects. The general laboratory procedures outlined in this manual address those issues and provide for guidance in handling infectious or potentially infectious materials.

General Laboratory Practices: Access

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