Even though we did not work in the lab this year, there are some safety protocols that we would have followed if we went into the lab, and many considerations that we would have based our future directions research on.
Floors must be kepts clean and dry at all times to avoid slipping hazards and avoid the unnecessary growth of bacteria, fungi, or mold in the labspace. Drainage systems must be maintained when working with liquids or other wet processes [1]. All workspaces must be sanitized to avoid any cross contamination during experiments. Aisles and passageways must be kept clear of any obstacles that could create hazards. All exits must be free of any obstacles or blockage in order to exit the labspace quickly in any case of emergency. Spills must be cleaned up immediately to avoid cross contamination with other chemicals. All materials and utensils must be separated from each other and washed after each use to avoid cross contamination during experiments. These safety measures must be considered and applied while creating the final product in order to steer clear of any unnecessary complications that could occur while testing or using the product [2].
We plan to use the K-12 strain of E. coli to detect oxybenzone in ocean water. This strain of E.Coli is at biosafety level 1 because the E. coli K-12 strain is known as a “lab strain” and cannot survive in the human digestive system or produce any dangerous toxins to the human body [3]. Therefore, this strain of E. coli does not pose a risk to those who want to use the product.
We wanted to address how consumers may feel about having and using a device that contains genetically engineered organisms. Some people may not want to be in close contact with E. coli because they may worry that it would be dangerous to their health. We plan to address this concern by educating those who wish to use this product by explaining that the K-12 strain of E. coli used in this device is not harmful in any way to the human body and will not result in any illnesses. This explanation may be placed on the label of our product device in order for consumers to be aware of their safety. In addition, the early use of our device is marketed towards scientists who are aware of safe lab practices, so they should be aware of the components of our device and possible concerns.
It’s unlikely that the E. coli would cause testing problems with the device’s user, as it’s contained in an enclosed device and directed towards a water sample. While it’s important to be cautious of any possible contact between the user and the E. coli, the device will be used for the detection of oxybenzone in a water sample, meaning there are minimal testing safety concerns.
[1] Laboratory Safety Guidance. (2011). Retrieved October 23, 2020, from https://www.osha.gov/Publications/laboratory/OSHA3404laboratory-safety-guidance.pdf
[2] Minimizing Contamination within Laboratories. (2014, April 1). Retrieved October 27, 2020, from https://www.safety.rochester.edu/safetyinfo/minimumcontamination.html
[3] (n.d.). Retrieved from https://2014.igem.org/Safety/Risk_Group_Guide