Question

Which of the following statements best describes decontamination in the laboratory environment?

A. All work surfaces must be decontaminated with water and paper towels after use.
B. All work surfaces must be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant after the completion of a procedure, when surfaces are overtly contaminated, and immediately after any spill.
C. Work surfaces are not required to be decontaminated if the same procedures will be used on the surface each day.
D. Work surfaces in laboratories handling human blood and body fluids only need to be decontaminated at the end of the workday.

Answer 1

The best description of decontamination in a laboratory setting is the use of appropriate disinfectants to clean work surfaces after procedures, when visibly contaminated, and after spills. The correct answer is option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes decontamination in the laboratory environment is: All work surfaces must be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant after the completion of a procedure, when surfaces are overtly contaminated, and immediately after any spill. This ensures that any potential pathogens are removed, thus maintaining a safe work environment. Work surfaces must be dealt with promptly and effectively to prevent the proliferation of microbes and to protect the integrity of the laboratory work.



In addition to surface decontamination, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn, and handwashing should be performed after handling hazardous materials. Furthermore, contaminated waste must be handled appropriately to ensure that it does not pose a risk to laboratory personnel or the environment.