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Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - Office of ...

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ENVIRONMENT, hOUSING, ANd MANAGEMENT3sole means <strong>of</strong> assessing <strong>the</strong> effectiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sanitation program. A decisionto alter <strong>the</strong> frequency <strong>of</strong> cage bedding changes or cage washing shouldbe based on such factors as ammonia concentration, bedding condition,appearance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cage <strong>and</strong> animals, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> number <strong>and</strong> size <strong>of</strong> animalshoused in <strong>the</strong> cage.Mechanical washer function should be evaluated regularly <strong>and</strong> includeexamination <strong>of</strong> mechanical components such as spray arms <strong>and</strong> movingheaders as well as spray nozzles to ensure that <strong>the</strong>y are functioning appropriately.If sanitation is temperature dependent, <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> temperature-sensingdevices (e.g., <strong>the</strong>rmometers, probes, or temperature-sensitive indicatorstrips) is recommended to ensure that <strong>the</strong> equipment being sanitized isexposed to <strong>the</strong> desired conditions.Whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> sanitation process is automated or manual, regular evaluation<strong>of</strong> sanitation effectiveness is recommended. This can be per<strong>for</strong>medby evaluating processed materials by microbiologic culture or <strong>the</strong> use o<strong>for</strong>ganic material detection systems (e.g., adenosine triphosphate [ATP] bioluminescence)<strong>and</strong>/or by confirming <strong>the</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> artificial soil applied toequipment surfaces be<strong>for</strong>e washing.Waste disposal Conventional, biologic, <strong>and</strong> hazardous waste should beremoved <strong>and</strong> disposed <strong>of</strong> regularly <strong>and</strong> safely (Hill 1999). There are severaloptions <strong>for</strong> effective waste disposal. Contracts with licensed commercialwaste disposal firms usually provide some assurance <strong>of</strong> regulatory compliance<strong>and</strong> safety. On-site incineration should comply with all federal, state,<strong>and</strong> local regulations (Nadelkov 1996).Adequate numbers <strong>of</strong> properly labeled waste receptacles should bestrategically placed throughout <strong>the</strong> facility. Waste containers should be leakpro<strong>of</strong><strong>and</strong> equipped with tight-fitting lids. It is good practice to use disposableliners <strong>and</strong> to wash containers <strong>and</strong> implements regularly. There shouldbe a dedicated waste storage area that can be kept free <strong>of</strong> insects <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rvermin. If cold storage is used to hold material be<strong>for</strong>e disposal, a properlylabeled, dedicated refrigerator, freezer, or cold room should be used that isreadily sanitized.Hazardous wastes must be rendered safe by sterilization, containment,or o<strong>the</strong>r appropriate means be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong>ir removal from <strong>the</strong> facility (DHHS2009 or most recent edition; NRC 1989, 1995b). Radioactive wastes shouldbe kept in properly labeled containers <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir disposal closely coordinatedwith radiation safety specialists in accord with federal <strong>and</strong> stateregulations; <strong>the</strong> federal government <strong>and</strong> most states <strong>and</strong> municipalitieshave regulations controlling disposal <strong>of</strong> hazardous wastes. Compliance withregulations concerning hazardous-agent use (see Chapter 2) <strong>and</strong> disposal isan institutional responsibility.Infectious animal carcasses can be incinerated on site or collected bya licensed contractor. <strong>Use</strong> <strong>of</strong> chemical digesters (alkaline hydrolysis treat-

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