Minimizing Environmental Footprints of Biological Wastes through Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures

• Main Authors: Guerrero, Jonathan Jaime G., Agduma, Angelo R., Tanalgo, Krizler C., Abisado-Duque, Rhea G, Navarro, Frederick John B.
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2024
• Subjects: Biosecurity; Environmental Sciences; Life Sciences; Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/biology-faculty-pubs/167; https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003426219-6/minimizing-environmental-footprints-biological-wastes-biosafety-biosecurity-measures-jonathan-jaime-guerrero-angelo-agduma-krizler-tanalgo-rhea-abisado-duque-frederick-john-navarro
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

Biological waste is a predominant challenge in laboratories, especially in low-income countries. While the risks can vary depending on factors such as properties of the biological waste and handling procedures prior to disposal, the entry of improperly managed biological wastes opens a cascade of effects to humans and various ecosystem types. The risks can range from acute to severe and can persist in the soil and water or enter the food chain through contamination of land, grains, and animals. Preventing these from happening is a concern of environmental biosafety and biosecurity. In this chapter, we focus on segregation, decontamination, sterilization, and disposal of biological wastes towards reducing the risk to the minimum.