Toxins of Biological Origin

It is a "gray zone" when conducting work with toxins of biological origins due to their biological and chemical nature.  Due to their unique properties, the safe use of biological toxins is dependent upon management support and administrative oversight, safe work practices, adequate understanding of the toxin and a comprehensive risk assessment.

A risk assessment is one of the cornerstones in biological safety, and a required process to effectively reduce hazards.  The following should be considered when assessing risks of toxins of biological origin.

  • Risks inherent to the procedure
    • Inoculation during animal protocols
    • Inhalation of aerosols
    • Static build up from powders
    • Use of sharps
  • Aerosol-generating procedures
  • Amount of toxin being handled
  • Availability of treatments, vaccines, and antitoxins
  • Training and experience of users
  • Intoxication and lethal dose data
  • Acute and chronic health effects
  • Engineering controls
  • Availability and efficacy of safety equipment and PPE
Select Agents and Toxins

Permissible Toxin Amounts

The following toxins are not regulated if the amount under the control of a principal investigator, treating physician or veterinarian, or commercial manufacturer or distributor does not exceed, at any time, the amounts indicated in the table below.

HHS Toxins [§73.3(d)(7)]

Amount
Abrin 1000 mg
Botulinum neurotoxins 1 mg
Short, paralytic alpha conotoxins 100 mg
Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) 10,000 mg
Ricin 1000 mg
Saxitoxin 500 mg
Staphylococcal Enterotoxins (Subtypes A, B, C, D, and E) 100 mg
T-2 toxin 10,000 mg
Tetrodotoxin 500 mg

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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