Contamination in a laboratory can have serious consequences. It can compromise experiments, skew test results, and create health risks. It also reduces the quality of research and undermines the credibility of its findings. Contamination gives people a legitimate reason to question research results as being flawed. Learning how to avoid contamination in lab settings is crucial to ensuring reliable experiment outcomes and staff safety.
The level of contamination that is acceptable will vary between types of labs. Some require extreme control. These facilities may use clean rooms and specialized decontamination chambers for equipment. Many labs have less stringent requirements.
Regardless of the level of cleanliness required, all laboratories have the same areas that must be addressed to prevent contamination. These include keeping equipment running optimally, cleaning workspaces, limiting access to the lab, and implementing proper sample-handling procedures.
Laboratory equipment can face a range of contaminants, including chemicals, pathogens, and environmental particulates. Staff must clean and sterilize all work and equipment surfaces with appropriate disinfectants before and after using them.
Steam and chemical sterilization are popular methods for reducing the risk of contamination. A lab autoclave uses steam and high pressure to disinfect equipment and tools. Using disposable single-use tools and sterile packaging is another strategy.
Plastic trays made from medical- and laboratory-grade plastics are ideal for storing samples and smaller tools. They withstand common sterilization processes to avoid contamination and do not leach chemicals into samples.
All laboratory staff must maintain proper hygiene. This includes:
Changing PPE that becomes contaminated is an important part of how to avoid contamination in a lab. Some facilities require the use of a special area where staff can change into clean suits before entering the lab. This reduces the risk of any foreign materials entering the clean lab environment.
Labs must maintain controlled temperature and humidity levels. Ideal temperatures reduce microbial activity and ensure equipment functions properly. On the other hand, extreme temperatures or wide fluctuations can cause deterioration. Humidity can seriously compromise sample integrity. High levels promote microbial growth, while too little can cause moisture loss from samples.
Ventilation systems contain filters to reduce airborne contamination. Depending on the laboratory’s purpose, they can screen out particles as small as 1 micrometer. Another way to avoid airborne contamination is to limit foot traffic in sensitive areas. Staff walking around or making large movements can stir dust or other fine particles in the area. These can easily get on samples and cause contamination issues.
Laboratory samples require careful handling to maintain test integrity. Staff should always wear proper sterile PPE when directly handling samples. This may include respirators, hoods, gloves, coats, and goggles.
Using sterile tools ensures that you do not introduce contaminants into any samples. Pipettes, tubes, forceps, and sample cups or trays should all be sterile.
When it comes to storing and transporting samples, the following steps can help reduce the risk of contamination:
Additionally, all sample handling should take place in a clean designated area. Vent hoods or other filtration devices over work areas can help reduce the risk of contamination and help keep staff safe.
Proper storage and handling processes go a long way to reduce the risks and are key steps for how to prevent contamination in a lab. Having all samples properly labeled and in appropriate storage containers makes identification simple. It also greatly reduces the chances of staff mixing samples or placing them in the wrong location.
It is important to remember that avoiding contamination is not the same as disinfecting or sanitizing. The former can take many forms, including when two different samples touch. Compartmentalized storage and sample trays can help you avoid this type of contamination by providing a neat, secure, and easily identified storage vessel for samples.
Equipment that is not functioning properly can easily contribute to lab contamination. Leaking fluid can get into samples, causing a serious risk. They can also contaminate work surfaces and tools.
If equipment does not maintain appropriate temperatures, it can result in microbial growth. This can be storage equipment such as refrigerators and freezers, or autocalves and other heat sterilization equipment.
Problems with lab facility systems can cause catastrophic issues. For example, HVAC systems control the temperature, humidity, and airflow in and out of labs. A breakdown in that unit can cause a cascade of other failures leading to major contamination.
There are several strategies to help you avoid these types of situations. First, perform all maintenance on equipment and building systems according to schedule. This allows you to control any downtime so it does not affect lab cleanliness. Having backup systems in place in case of a failure is also advisable.
Monitoring lab facilities, equipment, tools, and staff procedures is an effective strategy for ensuring that best practices are implemented. This includes conducting routine inspections of the lab and any records, monitoring equipment for issues, and checking sterile packaging.
Staff should maintain records of experiments, sample handling, cleaning procedures, and any potential contamination incidents. This log provides evidence to support any required actions and helps bolster the lab’s credibility for proper procedures. It is also an easy way for auditors to verify that proper procedures are in place.
Ready-Made Plastic Trays manufactures lab-quality plastic trays with individual pockets for samples, tools, and other lab materials. They help ensure proper sample handling and storage, and serve as valuable tools for how to prevent contamination in lab environments. Contact us to see how our trays can help keep your lab free from contamination.