Miriam Lonon, Ph.D., Manager of Environmental Health and Safety,
came from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Cincinnati, Ohio. A native Arkansan, Dr. Lonon received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Arkansas before earning her doctoral degree in medical microbiology from Texas Tech School of Medicine. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship in microbiology at Miami University, she was invited to remain at that institution as Visiting Assistant Professor of Zoology. In 1991, she accepted a position as research microbiologist at NIOSH, where she set up and directed a research program for the investigation of microbiological hazards in the workplace. She is the author of many journal articles, reports, and government documents and guidelines on bioaerosols, occupational health, and microbial contamination of indoor environments. She has presented her work at national and international symposia and has received awards for her teaching and service to students and for promoting science and the ideals of equal opportunity in occupational health.

Room: FAMA-A108
Phone: 575-3597
Cell: 263-2840
E-mail: mlonon@uark.edu

Policy

It is the policy of The University of Arkansas, that all principal investigators, students, and technical personnel who are planning to undertake research projects involving the use of certain biological agents or their products or derivatives, must submit applications and/or usage forms and experimental protocols for written approval from the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to beginning work on the project. Projects requiring prior approval include, but may not be limited to, those involving human pathogens (including materials that could contain blood-borne pathogens), those using or constructing organisms having recombinant DNA, and those involving the possession and/or use of agents or toxins subject to regulation under the federal Laboratory Registration and Select Agents Transfer (LR/SAT) Tracking Program.

This policy governs the receipt, storage, transport, use and disposal of hazardous biological agents and materials. It applies to all research, teaching or other activities using hazardous biological materials conducted at the University campus or by University faculty, staff or students when acting as representatives of the University at off-campus locations. In addition, it has been adopted by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture for application to all research, teaching or other activities using hazardous biological materials conducted at the Agricultural Experiment Station or by individuals acting as representatives of the Agricultural Experiment Station at off-site locations. This policy does not apply to services provided by the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Procedures

All faculty, staff and students who are planning to undertake research, teaching or other activities involving the use of certain biological agents or their products or derivatives, must submit applications and/or usage forms and experimental protocols for written approval prior to beginning work on the project. Projects requiring prior approval include those involving human pathogens (including materials that could contain blood-borne pathogens), those using or constructing organisms having recombinant DNA, and those involving the possession and/or use of agents or toxins subject to regulation under the federal Laboratory Registration and Select Agents Transfer (LR/SAT) Tracking Program.

Applications requiring review are to be submitted directly to the Biological Safety Officer (BSO), who will review them and make appropriate recommendations. Following approval by the BSO, the application will be referred to the IBC for final approval. The Principal Investigator (PI) will attend the appropriate IBC meeting and orally explain and present the application. The IBC will (1) reject, (2) approve or (2) conditionally approve the application. In the event of conditional approval, the PI will provide monthly written progress reports (by e-mail) to the IBC. When the IBC conditions have been satisfied, to the satisfaction of the BSO, final approval will be given. Applications that are subject to federal regulation will be forwarded directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by the BSO and by the Responsibility Facility Official (RFO).

All projects must conform to the guidelines and requirements set forth in the University of Arkansas Biological Safety Manual, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, and the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA. Applications and protocols must be submitted in writing, using the forms available from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (RSSP) and Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). Forms are available from the IBC website and from the RSSP. (Contact information is provided below.)

Experimental protocols must, at a minimum, include the following:

• description of the agent or toxin and its associated risks, including occupational and public health implications and any provisions regarding immunization and/or medical surveillance;
• description of methods to be used for handling, containing and storing the agent or toxin with reference to the appropriate containment level;
• description of the procedures to be used for decontamination of areas, and decontamination and/or disposal of materials generated during or following normal procedures and upon spill or accidental release of the agent or material;
• description of training and qualifications of identified personnel working on the project;
• description of measures taken to ensure the security of the area and materials.

All safety-related questions that arise during the course of the project are to be addressed by the principal investigator, working in concert with the BSO. The BSO is to be notified of any major changes in project plan or personnel and the project may be subject to re-review by the IBC at the discretion of the BSO.

• Biological Safety Manual
• BioSafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 4th Edition
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA (rDNA) Molecules
  • Safety Considerations
  • Experiments Covered by the NIH Guideline
  • Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard
  • Exemptions - Natural Exchangers
  • Certified Host-Vector Systems
  • Containment Conditions for Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates
  • Physical Containment
  • Shipping
  • Biological Containment
  • Physical and Biological Containment for rDNA Research Involving Plants
  • Physical and Biological Containment for rDNA Research Involving Animals
• HAZMAT Response
• MSDS Information
• National Institutes of Health
• Respiratory Protection