PCB Toxicity
PCBs have significant toxic effects and exposure to them can cause various health effects. PCBs are irritating to mucous membranes. When burned, PCBs produce highly toxic polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Even with low-level exposure, PCBs can be absorbed through skin, inhalation, and ingestion. Acute PCB exposure may cause skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation, while chronic exposure may cause chloracne. PCBs themselves are hazardous carcinogens to humans and other animals and can damage organs.
Lab Safety
At the Baltimore Underground Science Space, there is a lab safety officer, Ed Wonilowicz, who is a certified safety professional, member with the Clym Environmental Services, and member of the American Biology Safety Association. The lab work and the subteams as well were all supervised and aided by mentors who have a variety of experience within lab work, biology, medicine, computer science, and neurology. The executive director of BUGSS, Lisa Scheifele, an associate professor of biology at Loyola University Maryland, also oversaw lab work and design, and all work performed was done in accordance with safety measures set and upholded by the board of directors at BUGSS. Before starting this project, everyone part of our team participated in a safety training. During this safety training, members learned about the protocols for dealing with various chemicals, the proper ways to dispose of them, and what to do in case of a dangerous encounter with such chemicals. At one of our team meetings, we also had a safety refresher, where we discussed the safety policies at both BUGGS and Genspace. We also discussed the potential dangers of working with PCBs. Since they mimic natural hormones, and are especially soluble in things like fats, we decided it would be smarter to use a non-hazardous chemical that acts in a similar way to PCBs, but are not hazardous. Disposing of these chemicals is also important, since they could be harmful to the environment.
E.coli and Yeast
For E. coli, the health risks will be limited. We are aiming for Biosafety level 1 in the Chassis. E. coli would generally not have a massive risk on ecosystems but it could harm some organisms such as cattle,sheep, dogs, and possibly humans depending on the strain that we choose. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) can cause chronic diseases (by ingestion) if it escapes the lab environment but cases are considered rare. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is classified as a safe non pathogenic organism that is biosafety level 1. It wouldn't have a massive effect on the ecosystem if released.