News

Please be advised that the 4th edition of the WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual, together with the 7 supplemental monographs, has now been published. The 4th edition adopts a risk-based approach allowing for optimal use of resources and sustainable biosafety and biosecurity practices relevant to each laboratory's unique situation. Subject-specific monographs providing more detailed information have been included in the following areas:

- risk assessment

- laboratory design & maintenance

- biosafety cabinets

- personal protective equipment 

- decontamination & waste management

- biosafety program management

- outbreak preparedness & resilience

You may access the manual and each of the monographs at the following link: Laboratory biosafety manual, 4th edition.

An interesting article on measures taken during the plague in the 16th century and how it compares to what is currently in place in many countries to combat SARS-CoV-2 was published by the BBC. Please see the following link for further details.

Dear ABSA Affiliate Officers;

The Chesapeake Area Biological Safety Association (ChABSA) is pleased to once again offer remote viewing of our Technical Series Seminars this year to all ABSA affiliates.  ChABSA is excited to provide our local, national and global members with a variety of Biosafety related development seminars in the areas of Biosafety related techniques and oversight, Biosecurity and Biosafety related Science.  Similar to other ABSA affiliated events, attendance to any ChABSA Technical seminar will count toward the Credentialing Maintenance (CM) Points For the Professional Biosafety Certification (RBP/CBSP) and other Professional Safety Certifications (CIH/CSP).  ChABSA has partnered with the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Managers (AHMP) Cyber Chapter to allow participants to view and participate in each of our technical seminars. 

The dates for the upcoming ChABSA Technical Seminar Series for the 2020-2021 year are:

• September 15, 2020
• November 17, 2020
• December 2^nd, 2020 (see presentation info below)
• January 14, 2021
• March 9, 2021
• May 11, 2021

ChABSA will provide updates regarding the content of each seminar dates listed above in the near future.  Due to the challenges of the Global Novel Coronavirus Pandemic ChABSA is pleased to offer access to all “Virtual Only” Technical Seminars free of charge for all ABSA affiliated members.  ChABSA would appreciate it if you filled in your ABSA affiliation information when you register for this event using the link information below.  If you are interested in supporting ChABSA to help off-set the cost for providing these virtual seminars, please register for a ChABSA membership.  Membership registration information is below.

ChABSA membership:

ChABSA, the Chesapeake Area Biological Safety Association, is an incorporated, non-profit organization that is an affiliate of the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) established in 1987.  It’s members span many different professional disciplines in Public, Private, Academic, Military and Commercial business sectors.  Many of our ChABSA members have become Presidents and Council members of ABSA. 

The benefits of becoming a ChABSA member include:

1. Free remote access to all of our Technical Seminars (5 total which will provide 2.5 CM points)
2. Reduced pricing for our Annual Scientific Symposium and Pre-Symposium Workshop Professional Development Classes
3. Email notification of local Maryland, DC, Virginia Biosafety related job opportunities
4. Ability to volunteer within several different ChABSA related planning committees to increase member networking opportunities

Membership registration is done directly through our webpage (www.ChABSA.org) or by clicking on the following link: https://www.chabsa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=156

ChABSA has three different membership options:

• Student Membership: A matriculated student with an interest in biological safety shall be eligible for Student Membership. Student Members shall neither have the right to vote nor the right to hold elective office. Cost: $5.00
• Individual Membership: Any person with an interest in biological safety shall be eligible for Individual Membership. Individual Members shall be eligible to vote, to hold office, to serve on committees, and to enjoy other rights of the Association. Cost: $25.00
• Corporate Membership: Any company or organization with an interest in biological safety shall be eligible for Corporate Membership. Each Corporate Member may designate up to three persons as Individual Members. Each of these three individuals shall be eligible to vote, to hold office, to serve on committees, and to enjoy other rights of the Association. Cost: $75.00

Additional ChABSA information can be found on the internet by visiting ChABSA’s main webpage: www.ChABSA.org

December 2^nd , 2020 Seminar Information:

This is a virtual only meeting!!!!

AIChE is holding an online conference on Biosecurity, Biosafety and Bioethics. Please see the following link for further details.

For a 50% discount use the following code (BIOSEC0521) and register at this link.

CDC has just published the 6th edition of the BMBL. An electronic version may be downloaded here.

Please see the following link to a new publication with results on the effect surgical masks may have in controlling spread of SARS-CoV-2. The paper is the first of its kind studying the effect of surgical masks in an in vivo model.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recently published data on laboratory exposures that occurred in Canada in 2019. The results may be found at the following link.

EBSA has published several online webinars and courses. Information may be obtained from the following links:

Webinars

Courses

Please see the following link re. the recent publication by Fischer, et al. on low-cost measurement of face-mask efficacy and their comparison of different types of face-masks. Very pertinent information during these trying times and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Skan Pure Solutions in collaboration with the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) have just announced a new event that may be of interest to our members.

Corona Stories - Expert Experiences from Industry, Research, Public Health and Governmental Authorities.

Please see the following link for further details and how to register for the event.