LAB SAFETY

Overview

Safety stands as a fundamental priority in our project. Our aim is to develop an enzymatic system for the degradation and valorization of PET plastic and kitchen waste, converting them into high-value supramolecular phosphorescent materials under mild and enclosed conditions. Throughout the experimental and potential scaling stages, various risks may arise. Therefore, we have conducted a systematic risk assessment covering biological, chemical, and procedural hazards, and implemented control measures—informed by expert consultations, comprehensive team training, and strict adherence to a multi-level regulatory framework including the national standard "General Rules for Laboratory Safety" (GB 27429-2022) (Chen et al., 2023), the "Beijing Laboratory Hazardous Chemicals Safety Management" (Beijing Municipal Administration of Work Safety, 2019), and the "Beijing University of Chemical Technology Laboratory Safety Management Regulations" (BUCT Safety Office, 2021)—to minimize risks and ensure safety for personnel, the environment, and the public.

Laboratory Safety

Our team's laboratory operates under a Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) standard microbiology environment (CDC and NIH, 2020, p3), in full compliance with institutional regulations that mandate comprehensive safety protocols for all on-campus research activities. All experimental work involving biological materials is conducted within biosafety cabinets or chemical fume hoods to ensure safety and prevent contamination. In addition to completing required safety tests, all team members have received comprehensive training in the safe operation of fundamental experimental techniques (Furr, 2021). This training covers laboratory rules, biosafety levels and equipment, good microbiological practices, disinfection and sterilization protocols, emergency procedures, sample transportation guidelines, as well as physical, personnel, and chemical safety—including fire and electrical hazards. To address potential safety issues, we actively manage risks through incident reporting, participation in iGEM safety seminars, and consultation with experts. Furthermore, we have collectively established and adhere to strict laboratory rules designed to minimize risks to both personnel and the environment.

1. Sorting and Disposal of Laboratory Waste

We comply with Chinese regulations, including the "Beijing Laboratory Hazardous Waste Management Guidelines" and university-specific policies (Beijing Municipal Administration of Work Safety, 2019, p25). Waste is managed by trained professional personnel for proper disposal.

2. Segregation by Contamination

BSL-1 waste (CDC and NIH, 2020, p22) is rigorously separated from uncontaminated general waste at the point of generation.

3. Treatment of Solid Waste

All solid BSL-1 waste (e.g., petri dishes, pipette tips, gloves) (CDC and NIH, 2020, p27) is collected in dedicated biohazard bags. This waste is inactivated by autoclaving before removal from the lab.

4. Treatment of Liquid Waste

Liquid BSL-1 culture (CDC and NIH, 2020, p19) waste is collected in dedicated, leak-proof containers. It is inactivated by autoclaving or chemical disinfection.

5. Final Disposal

After sterilization, all treated laboratory waste is uniformly discarded into yellow biohazard waste bins. This waste is then sent for centralized incineration by qualified professional institutions.

Laboratory operation safety

1. Laboratory and instrument room doors and windows must be securely locked in a timely manner. Valuable instruments should be stored in dedicated cabinets under specialized management.

2. All instruments, specimens, models, and chemicals must be categorized and stored according to their properties, characteristics, and requirements. They should be arranged orderly in designated cabinets to ensure tidy storage, ease of use, and proper restoration after use. Additionally, measures must be taken to prevent dust, moisture, pressure damage, magnetic interference, corrosion, and light exposure.

3. High-value equipment, along with flammable, explosive, and highly toxic substances, must be stored in specially assigned rooms or cabinets under dual-lock management to prevent accidents involving unauthorized access.

4. Ensure comprehensive safety and security within the laboratory. All personnel should be familiar with safety protocols and emergency procedures. Regular maintenance of cleanliness in instrument and laboratory spaces is required.

5. When conducting cell experiments, precautions against bacterial contamination must be taken. Lab coats and gloves should be worn at all times.

Project Safety

In addition to completing all required safety tests, our team has received comprehensive laboratory training on the safe operation of all key experimental techniques involved in our project. This training covered laboratory rules, biosafety levels and equipment, good microbiological practices, disinfection and sterilization procedures, emergency protocols, sample transportation guidelines, as well as physical and chemical safety—including fire and electrical safety. To manage potential safety risks related to enzymatic treatment of PET and kitchen waste, SDS-PAGE and protein gel reagents risks, as well as the use of organic solvents (Hill and Finster, 2010) such as acetonitrile and formic acid in HPLC analysis (Shimadzu Corporation, 2022). We consistently document incidents, participate in iGEM safety seminars, and consult with experts. Furthermore, we have established clear laboratory safety agreements to minimize risks to personnel and the environment. All members are trained in proper waste segregation and disposal methods to prevent contamination and ensure environmental safety, with special attention given to chemical and biological materials.