There are a number of hazardous chemicals commonly used in biomedical research for which a biological use application (BUA) is required. These include carcinogens, chemotherapy agents, toxins of biological origin, and other chemicals that are deemed hazardous by the IBC, biosafety, or another authority. Biosafety performs a risk assessment and requires an exposure control plan or SOP for these agents. When there is a medical intervention that can be applied prior to exposure or a process for medical care upon exposure that can be developed ahead of time, the Occupational Medicine Program provides access to it for employees.

Not all chemicals used in biomedical research have a prophylactic measure such as an immunization. However, all chemical exposures, even small ones, must be reported to one’s supervisor. The supervisor is responsible to complete a manager’s incident report and to ensure that an injured employee seeks medical attention promptly.

BUA-Required Chemical Pre- and Post-Exposure Processes

Chemical Research Role Pre-Exposure Process Post-Exposure Process
MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) A neurotoxin that causes Parkinson’s-like symptoms
  • Follow ECP
  • Seek medical attention immediately
  • Medication under a physician’s care
ENU  N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea Potent mutagen
  • ECP, SOP, SDS
  • Animal bedding SOP
  • Follow ECP
  • Seek medical attention immediately
Pertussis toxin
Diphtheria toxin
Tetanus toxin
  • Used in the development of animal models for human disease
  • Other uses in biomedical research
  • ECP, SOP, SDS
  • Animal bedding SOP
  • Vaccine
  • Follow ECP
  • Seek medical attention
  • Antitoxin may be available
Other toxins of biological origin, e.g.
Tetrodotoxin
Conotoxin, SEB, others
Various uses in biomedical research
  • ECP, SOP, SDS
  • Animal bedding SOP
  • Follow ECP
  • Seek medical attention
Carcinogens
(Prop 65 list)
Various uses in biomedical research
  • ECP, SOP, SDS
  • Animal bedding SOP
  • Follow ECP
  • Seek medical attention
Chemotherapy agents Various uses in biomedical research
  • ECP, SOP, SDS
  • Animal bedding SOP
  • Follow ECP
  • Seek medical attention
Streptozoticin Induces diabetes in mice
  • ECP, SOP, SDS
  • Animal bedding SOP
  • Follow ECP
  • Seek medical attention
Pertussis toxin
Diphtheria toxin
Tetanus toxin
  • Used in the development of animal models for human disease
  • Other uses in biomedical research
  • ECP, SOP, SDS
  • Animal bedding SOP
  • Vaccine
  • Follow ECP
  • Seek medical attention
  • Antitoxin may be available
Other toxins of biological origin, e.g.
Tetrodotoxin
Conotoxin, SEB, others
Various uses in biomedical research
  • ECP, SOP, SDS
  • Animal bedding SOP
  • Follow ECP
  • Seek medical attention