Chemical hazards in the biotechnology industry
Ducatman, A.M.; Coumbis, J.J.
Occupational Medicine 6(2): 193-208
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0885-114X PMID: 2047973 Document Number: 3399
Since the landmark work of Watson and Crick, biologists have wondered how they might alter DNA sequences to create specialized organisms. Recent technological advances in chemistry, physics, biology, and electronics have brought this distant idea to present reality. The burden of developing competency in handling these new technologies safely starts with the research scientist and extends to a large supporting staff of technical and nontechnical workers. The modern biotechnology industry employs thousands of people and is growing rapidly. The numbers of toxic chemicals encountered are substantial and the applications are largely novel. The users are biologists and biophysicists, who may not be experienced in chemical handling procedures. Health care professionals face a formidable task in identifying occupational hazards and safeguarding the health of employees. As discussed in other chapters, work with recombinant organisms entails hazardous exposures to the three general types of potential hazards: biological, physical, and chemical exposures. The purpose of this chapter is to describe chemical exposures in the biotechnology industry and to report the potential adverse health effects that may result from such exposures.
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