Exposures to Infectious Agents

An exposure is defined as contact with broken skin, eyes, nose, mouth, other mucous membranes, a percutaneous injury with a contaminated sharp, or contact with an infectious agent over a large area of apparently intact skin.

CLEAN IT.                                

SKIN Exposures: Immediately remove contaminated clothing and wash the contaminated area with soap and water for 15 minutes.

EYE Exposures: Immediately flush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes at an eyewash or faucet. Remove contact lenses while flushing the eye.

GET TREATED.

BSL-2 materials

  • If an injury is life-threatening or you need transport assistance, call 911.
  • Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,  seek treatment at University Health Services. Ask a co-worker to call ahead (609 258 5035).
  • For exposures that occur during evening and weekend hours, contact the Department of Public Safety and request transport to the Emergency Room at Princeton Medical Center.

BSL-1 materials

  • Monday through Friday,  8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,  seek treatment at University Health Services
  • For exposures that occur during evening and weekend hours, seek treatment at UHS on the next business day.

REPORT IT.

•   Report all exposures to your immediate supervisor and Principal Investigator.

  • Principal Investigators are responsible for reporting exposure incidents to EHS   Biosafety.

 

Staff

Meagan Fitzpatrick
Assistant Director and Biosafety Officer
609-258-6258

Halina Staniszewska
Laboratory Safety Specialist