Pathogen Safety Data Sheets (PSDSs) provide essential information on the safe handling and storage of pathogens in a laboratory setting. These documents contain detailed information about the pathogen, its characteristics, associated hazards, and recommended safety precautions. It is important to follow the PSDS guidelines to minimize exposure risks and maintain a safe lab environment. Workers can mitigate risks by taking necessary precautions based on the substances involved. Implementing the recommended safety measures, researchers can protect themselves and others from accidental contamination or infection. Regular review and adherence to PSDSs are essential components of good laboratory practice and are necessary for maintaining a high level of biosafety and biosecurity.
HOW TO CREATE YOUR PSDS?
PART I – INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME
Official taxonomic name of the pathogen (e.g., Genus species).
Agent type: Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, Parasites, or Prion?
Taxonomy:
Family: e.g., Streptococcaceae
Genus: e.g., Streptococcus
Species: e.g., S. salivarius
Subspecies/Strain/Clonal Isolate: Include if applicable
SYNONYM
Other names used to find information on the pathogen. For example: name(s) of the disease(s) that the agent is commonly responsible for; former taxonomic name; common name.
CHARACTERISTICS
Brief Description: Critical aspects such as appearance, size, shape, and genome structure (e.g., RNA/DNA virus).
Properties: Risk-contributing properties like modifications, sporulation, toxin production, oxygen requirements, enzymatic activity, life cycle, and reproduction.
PART II – HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
PATHOGENICITY / TOXICITY
Duration of illness/disease associated with the infectious agent in humans and animals (mainly animals of economic importance). Symptoms of the disease, their severity, and prevalence. Mortality rate. Disease variations and clinical presentations.
Predisposing factors: Conditions or cofactors that may predispose to infection, disease, or severe disease (e.g., pregnancy, immune status).
COMMUNICABILITY
Ways the infectious agent can be transmitted from one host to another: ingestion, injection (including vectors), mucous membrane/skin contact (or genitourinary), inhalation (airborne or aerosols). Likelihood of transmission by direct or indirect contact. Is this applicable to humans and animals? Preferred mode of transmission (e.g., influenza viruses typically transmitted by inhalation of infectious aerosols).
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Is the disease maintained in human or animal populations? Geographical localization of the disease. Specific outbreaks and their magnitude.
HOST RANGE
Natural Host(s): Primary (definitive), secondary (intermediate), and dead-end hosts if identifiable.
INFECTIOUS DOSE
Number or concentration of organisms required to cause disease (typically ID50) in natural host(s). If unknown, enter “unknown”.
INCUBATION PERIOD
Duration between contact with the infectious agent and presentation of earliest clinical signs of the disease in natural host(s) (usually in days).
PART III – DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR
Organisms (often small mammals or birds) where the infectious agent is maintained without causing obvious clinical symptoms.
ZOONOSIS / REVERSE ZOONOSIS
Disease spread between animals and humans, direction, and species involved. If not zoonotic, enter “none”.
VECTORS
Invertebrate (typically arthropod) species that can carry and transmit the pathogen to humans or animals. If not spread by arthropod vectors, enter “none”.
PART IV – STABILITY AND VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY
Effective drugs/pharmaceutical agents for treating infection/disease. Note: vaccination details.
DRUG RESISTANCE
Known drug resistance or multi-drug resistance.
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS
Disinfectants capable of destroying the pathogen (including toxins and/or spores if applicable) and necessary conditions for disinfection (concentration, contact time, temperature). Resistance to specific disinfectants or classes.
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION
Can the infectious substance be inactivated by other means (e.g., UV irradiation, gamma irradiation, dry or moist heat, pH) and, if known, what are the effective parameters (method, duration, environmental conditions)? If unknown, are there physical inactivation methods that are effective against a class of pathogens?
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST
Is there documentation of survival times for the infectious agent outside of its host environment (e.g., is the infectious agent still viable in collected blood, semen, or other fluids? Is it viable in dried blood, on surfaces, or in aerosol form?). If so, how long is it documented to survive?
PART IV – FIRST AID AND MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
How can the pathogen be detected/diagnosed in an infected individual? What are the symptoms to look for? Based on the medical surveillance program, what are the recommendations? Is it important that the surveillance plan include establishing a history of contact with animals or international travel in infected individuals?
FIRST AID / TREATMENT
How can the infection/disease be treated in an infected individual? Based on the medical surveillance program and post-exposure response plan, what specific first aid/treatment is recommended?
IMMUNIZATION
Based on the available and effective vaccines and the medical surveillance program, what preventative and/or post-exposure immunisations are recommended? Are these recommendations universal, or based on the activities being performed or other factors? Are there specific cofactors (e.g., pregnancy) that would change the recommendations?
PROPHYLAXIS
Based on the medical surveillance program, what pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended? Are these recommendations universal, or based on the activities being performed or other factors? Are there specific cofactors (e.g., pregnancy) that would change the recommendations?
PART VI – LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS
Is there evidence in the literature of laboratory (research, diagnostic, healthcare) acquired infections with the infectious agent? Have there been exposure incidents with this pathogen within the institution? If so, what were the circumstances?
SOURCES / SPECIMENS
What are the primary biological samples and specimens likely to contain the infectious agent (e.g., blood, urine, semen, mucous, faeces, necropsy tissues)?
PRIMARY HAZARDS
What is the primary exposure hazard? Examples:
Ingestion of infectious material
Exposure of mucous membranes/skin to infectious material
Autoinoculation with infectious material
Inhalation of airborne or aerosolized infectious material
Bites/scratches of an infected animal
Exposure to infectious material in animal
Exposure to infectious material on fomites
SPECIAL HAZARDS
What other hazards exist that an individual should be aware of when dealing with this pathogen?
If there are no special hazards for this agent enter “none”.
PART VII – EXPOSURE CONTROLS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION
RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION
What is the Risk Group classification in humans and animals for the pathogen?
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS
What are the containment requirements for working with the pathogen (i.e., what Containment Level)? Is this the same for all activities (e.g., in vitro and in vivo)? Are there specific requirements (e.g., using a biological safety cabinet) for certain activities?
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Should specific personal protective equipment (PPE) be used when working with this pathogen (e.g., respirators, gloves, lab coats)? If so, you should the specified PPE be used?
OTHER PRECAUTIONS
What precautions, other than PPE, should be considered when working with the pathogen?
PART VIII – HANDLING AND STORAGE
SPILLS
Following a spill involving the pathogen, what procedure should be followed? What type and quantity of disinfectant should be used (PART IV – Stability and Viability)? An example procedure is listed below:
“Allow aerosols to settle. Wearing protective clothing, gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply suitable disinfectant, starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre. Allow sufficient contact time before clean up.”
DISPOSAL
How should infectious or potentially infectious material be disposed of? Is there a specific decontamination procedure that should be followed before disposal? Are there different procedures for the disposal of solid and liquid waste (e.g., physical inactivation)?
STORAGE
How should infectious material be stored? An example can be found below: "Containers of infectious material or toxins stored outside the containment zone must be labeled, leakproof, impact resistant, and kept either in locked storage equipment or within an area with limited access."
PART IX – REGULATORY AND OTHER INFORMATION
REGULATORY INFORMATION
Who are the regulatory authorities for the use, storage, import, export, transport, transfer, disposal, or other activities involving the pathogen.
UPDATED
Date of last update
PREPARED BY
Name and Laboratory
REFERENCES
List of references used in the order that they were cited in the text.
For more specific information and applied guidelines please visit the link:
Please note that specific guidelines may vary depending on the type of laboratory and the nature of the work being conducted. It is important to follow the guidelines provided by your institution or regulatory body.
The pathogen safety data sheet for Toxoplasma gondii.
