October 2007 An Integrated Research Facility
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Biosafety Level | Agents | Practices | Safety Equipment | Facilities |
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BSL-1 | These agents are not generally associated with disease in healthy people |
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BSL-2 | These agents are associated with human disease |
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BSL-3 | These agents:
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BSL-2 practice plus
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BSL-2 plus
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BSL-4 | These agents:
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BSL-3 practices plus
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Class ll procedures conducted in Class III BSCs or Class I or II BSCs in combination with full-body, air-supplied, positive- pressure personnel suit | BSL-3 plus
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Most facilities in the United States with infectious disease research programs have BSL-3 laboratories. In addition, many hospitals have areas that can be operated at this level; these areas are used for isolating patients with highly contagious diseases.
BSL-4 labs have the most stringent safety and security requirements. There are currently only four operational BSL-4 laboratory suites in the United States: at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA; at the United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD; at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio; and at the University of Texas at Galveston.
A small BSL-4 facility exists on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD, but it is currently being operated only at a BSL-3 level for research on important emerging infectious diseases. There is also a small BSL-4 glovebox capability at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.
Having this facility on Fort Detrick enhances NIAID efforts to expand its biodefense research agenda by capitalizing on the already well-established cooperation between NIAID and USAMRIID scientists. The proximity at Fort Detrick to researchers with expertise in infectious diseases related to biodefense and other emerging infections, as well as the nearby USAMRIID facilities, will provide a critical part of the foundation for the research and development program that is NIAID's mandate. In addition, the location at Fort Detrick will minimize replication of costly support services. The location for the Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick was approved specifically for these reasons.
The facility will be constructed within a secured perimeter and with the required setback distance from any unscreened vehicles. In addition, there will be extra security for the areas of BSL-3 and BSL-4 research within the facility. New lighting, observation cameras, and card-reader systems will be installed, and additional measures will be implemented in the BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories. Multiple levels of security devices will be installed throughout the new facility.
There are specific government regulations for transportation of infectious materials. Infectious materials are safely transported worldwide on a daily basis under these regulations.
NIH's Division of Safety will be closely involved in the planning, design, and operation of the new facility. In addition, the Division reviews and approves all proposed protocols and standard operating procedures for any BSL-3 or BSL-4 laboratory operated by NIAID prior to its use. A stringent approval process will take place before any experiment can begin in the facility.
No. A number of BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities have operated safely in the United States for 30 years. Rare accidents such as needlesticks may cause exposure of laboratory staff; immediate treatment of any person so exposed avoids any danger to other workers or to the community.
When appropriate vaccinations are available they are provided to laboratory staff to help prevent disease related to an accidental exposure.
Even before the increased attention to biodefense, NIAID scientists studied organisms that cause a variety of infectious diseases. Examples of diseases caused by these organisms include plague, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile virus disease, influenza, anthrax infection, Ebola virus hemorrhagic fever, HIV, tuberculosis, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and Q fever. Potentially, some of these microbes also could be used as agents of bioterrorism. All of this work is carried out in either the Maryland or Montana laboratories with required safety measures in place.
Even before the current emphasis on biodefense, NIAID scientists had been studying organisms that cause a variety of infectious diseases. Examples of diseases caused by these organisms include plague, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile virus disease, influenza, anthrax infection, Ebola virus hemorrhagic fever, HIV, tuberculosis, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and Q fever. Potentially, some of these microbes also could be used as agents of bioterrorism. All of this work has been carried out in either the Maryland or Montana laboratories with required safety measures in place. (Modified 12/1/05)
No. The ultimate goal of this research program is to provide information that will guide the development of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines to protect civilians against agents of bioterrorism. Although safety and security regulations will limit access to certain kinds of information, it is anticipated that the results of all research carried out in the facility will be published and communicated in the same manner as other NIH research results.
Construction of the IRF is now under way.
The budget includes $105 million for planning, design, construction, and related costs for the IRF.
Approximately 100 people will staff the facility.
NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health. NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports research on basic immunology, transplantation and immune-related disorders, including autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergies.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)—The Nation's Medical Research Agency—includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov
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