Safety

Safety isn't just a precaution; it's the unbreakable bridge between discovery and disaster

See safety measurements

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All members of the team received training before starting to work in the laboratory. Moreover, we were required to read through, comprehend and sign safety protocols provided by Transilvania University Research and Development Institute, where the lab we worked in was located. Some rules we strictly followed included are presented below.

Safety Rules

  • The clothes worn during practical work should be simple, without embellishments that could interfere with work. Long hair must be tied back. Wearing a lab coat during practical work is mandatory.

  • Civilised behaviour is required in the lab. Attention should be focused on the experiment only.

  • A clean workspace is mandatory. After each stage of the experiment all machines and materials used should be placed back where they were taken from. When waste is generated, it must be disposed properly.

  • Caution is required when using sharp instruments, glass objects, etc. Liquids spilled on the floor or on the work table must be wiped immediately with a cloth, except in cases where they are dangerous (e.g. acids, toxic substances, etc.) in which case they require special disposal conditions.

  • Handling of samples should be carefully done under a chemical hood.

  • Practical work should not be done with an injured hand. Any injuries should be reported to the lab assistant. At the end of practical work, hands must be washed very carefully and disinfected properly. In case of accidental skin contact with any corrosive substances, immediately wipe the substance with a soft cloth.

  • Do not block the exit doors or the access paths between the laboratory tables because in case of a fire, evacuation would be difficult. Only necessary equipment should be brought into the laboratory. Bags should not be stored on tables because they slow down work.

  • There are many electrical devices in the laboratory. Connecting the equipment to the electrical network and starting it is performed by the technical staff. Do not touch electrical installations with a wet hand.

  • First aid can be given by the assistant and nurses from the university clinic.

Safety regarding cyanobacteria

Besides following these rules, another precautionary measure we considered was choosing cyanobacteria species that do not release any toxins, known as cyanotoxins(examples include: Microcystin, Cylindrospermopsin, Anatoxin). Before ordering the strains, we read about the effects these toxins have on humans. Although, risks would have been minimal due to the fact that health diseases occur mostly in cases of ingestion or inhalation(dangerous toxin quantities are produced in case of algal blooms), the primary criteria we considered when choosing the species was absence of any toxic compound.