Analysis of Biological Safety Hazards and Countermeasures in PCR Laboratory Operation

       The PCR laboratory, also known as the gene amplification laboratory, can amplify the genes inside the virus by simulating the DNA replication process in vitro, enabling precise detection of viruses with low levels. PCR has high specificity and sensitivity, so it is often used in clinical detection of viral infectious diseases. During the construction or management phase of the PCR laboratory, it is necessary to raise the awareness of the staff and ensure that the laboratory equipment meets the requirements. At the same time, the laboratory needs to be equipped with high-quality testing personnel to ensure the smooth operation of the laboratory staff. In some areas, laboratories may present a decentralized situation with difficult management plans, and some management personnel have not implemented unified management of the laboratory. The laboratory needs to use an information supervision platform to comprehensively control and supervise the workflow, personnel protection, and regional testing of staff on the platform, especially focusing on key issues such as pressure and specimen flow, in order to improve the management level of the PCR laboratory. Management personnel should provide early warning management for potential safety risks, so that staff can detect safety hazards in the laboratory at the first time, reduce and eliminate personnel infections and laboratory infections, and promote laboratory quality control, which is conducive to improving personnel safety.

       1. Training laboratory inspectors

       During the operational phase of the laboratory, inspection personnel are indispensable, therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to strengthening operational skills and safety awareness. The most important aspect of laboratory management during the implementation stage is personnel management. In the stage of detecting highly pathogenic viruses, the laboratory needs to strengthen the training of inspection personnel. Inspectors need to be proficient in various operating procedures and receive regular laboratory biosafety training. Relevant management personnel need to strengthen training on the use process of inspection personnel's instruments and equipment, as well as emergency response measures. In addition to the above management, inspectors need to have a comprehensive understanding of the laboratory, including the principles and settings of the laboratory. As inspectors, it is even more important to have a comprehensive understanding of the concept of negative pressure laboratory, and to reasonably set the pressure difference and provide comprehensive training for the staff. Through the above training, laboratory inspectors can comprehensively grasp the laboratory situation and enhance their mastery ability.

       2. Standardize workflow and prioritize personal protection

       Due to the potential hazards of virus biosafety, laboratories need to have reasonable requirements for personal protective equipment, while also paying attention to management regulations and systems. During the use of protective equipment, it is necessary to comply with standards. Laboratory management personnel need to regularly inspect and supervise the reserve and expiration date of protective equipment. If the laboratory lacks buffer rooms, the staff need to strictly enforce the three-level laboratory protection system. After entering the laboratory, the staff cannot work directly and need to wait until the gas pressure stabilizes before conducting experiments. During the experiment, the staff cannot open the experimental door at will. After the operation is completed, the biosafety cabinet needs to run for 3 minutes before the air inside the cabinet can be purified. Afterwards, the staff will open the laboratory door.

       3. Reasonable use of biosafety cabinets

       If there are no special gases or organic solvents involved in the experimental phase, the PCR laboratory needs to choose an A2 type biosafety cabinet. During the staff operation phase, it is necessary to maintain the standard exhaust volume of the empty biosafety cabinet to enhance the stable operation of the biosafety cabinet system. The staff need to understand the operation and performance of the equipment. During the operation phase, it is necessary to standardize and follow the principles of item placement. During the operation, inspectors need to operate slowly. During the transfer of items, cross infection should be avoided, and vibration should be reduced to avoid pressure fluctuations. During the start-up phase of the biosafety cabinet, inspectors need to perform each operation smoothly and orderly, with slow movements to control pressure fluctuations within a controllable range. If the start-up or shutdown time is long, even if fluctuations occur, the pressure fluctuations caused by air volume will gradually be offset, which can improve system stability. At the same time, the laboratory can strictly follow the procedures to avoid large changes in air volume caused by too fast operation speed.

       4. Improve laboratory hand washing equipment and design the laboratory reasonably

       Various equipment in the negative pressure laboratory also needs to be equipped, among which the hand washing sink equipment needs to be selected as non-contact type to avoid backflow pollution caused by the installation of backflow preventers in the water supply pipeline. The water supply system cannot leak, and anti backflow design should be developed in the sewage to reduce the probability of pollution. At the same time, when conducting high pathogenic pathogen testing, laboratory water needs to be disinfected twice before discharge. When creating a laboratory, it is necessary to analyze the existing risk factors, keep the exhaust ducts in a negative pressure state, disinfect various equipment, arrange laboratory equipment reasonably, and minimize indoor backflow.

       5. Strictly disinfect the laboratory

       The cleaning and disinfection work in the laboratory must be done well, including daily disinfection, regular calibration of biosafety cabinets, and ensuring disinfection and maintenance. Before and after the experiment, the staff need to strictly disinfect the laboratory according to the requirements to avoid contamination. The staff should carry out disinfection work according to the laboratory situation. When the staff enter the laboratory, they need to use ethanol disinfection treatment with a concentration of 75%. Disinfection includes various equipment, including a biosafety cabinet, which also needs to be irradiated with ultraviolet light for about 30 minutes. Run the biosafety cabinet fan for about 25 minutes. Maintain the stability and cleanliness of the safety cabinet before conducting experiments. Different laboratory contaminations can be disinfected according to the pollution factors to ensure the biological safety of the laboratory.