Question

If you happen to spill a bacterial culture on the floor during lab, which of the following statements describes the correct clean-up procedure?

1) Wipe the spill with a paper towel and dispose of it in the regular trash.
2) Use a disinfectant to clean the spill and then dispose of the contaminated materials in a biohazard bag.
3) Leave the spill as it is and inform the lab supervisor.
4) Use water to dilute the spill and then wipe it up with a cloth.

Answer 1

The correct procedure to clean up a bacterial culture spill in the lab is to disinfect the area, let it sit, and dispose of the waste in a biohazard bag.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you happen to spill a bacterial culture on the floor during lab, the correct clean-up procedure is to use a disinfectant to clean the spill and then dispose of the contaminated materials in a biohazard bag. Specifically, you should completely saturate the spill area with disinfectant, cover it with paper towels, and allow it to sit for approximately 10 minutes to ensure decontamination. Afterward, you need to carefully remove and dispose of the saturated paper towels in a biohazard waste receptacle and then clean the area again with the disinfectant.

It is crucial to follow the proper safety practices for dealing with spills of biological material such as following BSL-1 or BSL-2 containment procedures which are designed to prevent the spread of potentially harmful bacteria and to protect those in the lab environment.