Caster Safety in Laboratory Environments
By Mike Titizian
We all know that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but why wait to hear the squeak, or feel the drag of the wheel, or attempt to suppress vibrating casters?
Emerging Issues in Research, Housing and Vivarium Design
By Helen Kelly, Vera Baumans
ALN World asked research practitioners and vivarium design professionals about the future of vivarium design. Here are their answers.
The 3 Green Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
By Jack Metterville
Unwanted and unused vivarium equipment doesn’t have to sit idly taking up space. Stainless steel equipment and plastic caging can have a second life.
Alkaline Hydrolysis, Part 3: Testing the Technology and the Process for Regulatory Compliance
By Shanon Jones, Joe Delloiacovo, Ira F. Salkin, Ph.D.
In this article we will review earlier testing and the methods of challenging the operations of these systems.
Alkaline Hydrolysis, Part 2: The Selection Process
By Christopher Kiley, PE, Shanon Jones
As we venture into this second article, let us recap briefly. Alkaline hydrolysis has been used to treat animal carcasses for over 100 years, was approved in the 1970s and documented in the Federal Register, and today, with many enhancements, it is used in biocontainment as an approved method to not only reduce animal waste but to also provide sterilization.
Alkaline Hydrolysis, Part 1: The History, The Process, & Today’s Market
By Shanon Jones
This series of articles will provide a clear history of the technology and share a better understanding of the costs associated with the operation, design consideration, and compliance issues for each of these waste treatment technologies.
Cleaning Up Waste Management
By Kim Etherington
Waste. Everybody has it. Here are your options for getting rid of it.
Chemical Treatment System for Liquid Effluent
By George P. Cortessis, Peter G. Cortessis, Robert D’Elia
A waste treatment system was designed and built to process liquid effluent from a laboratory/vivarium working with human pathogenic viruses based on de-activation by exposure to aqueous solutions of sodium hypochlorite.
Perspectives in Alkaline Hydrolysis
By Brandon F. Ross, Jack R. Hoff
The commercialization of alkaline hydrolysis technology used in tissue digester systems has led to many new innovations in the process and equipment design — some of which have led consumers to many perceptions and misconceptions regarding the process.
The Bio-Facility Waste Management Quandry: A Logical Approach
By Kim Etherington
There are many factors to consider when determining the method of waste disposal for a facility.
New Technologies Allow Safer Removal of Liquid Wastes from Biocontainment Facilities
By Marty Wetzel, Joseph Wilson, Luke Wilson, Gordon I. Kaye, PH.D
We will present here, new technologies that are available to allow for safer handling and disposal of infectious liquids from biocontainment facilities.
How Secure Are Your Infectious Waste Streams?
By Michael G. Vocilka
It is so easy to flush waste down the drain without giving it a second thought. We all do it, but the reason not to do it is quite profound.
The Alkaline Hydrolysis Process
By Gordon I. Kaye, PH.D, Peter B. Weber, PH. D, William M. Wetzel
Alkaline hydrolysis is a simple, natural process by which complex molecules are broken down into their constituent building blocks by the insertion of ions of water (H2O), H+, and OH- between the atoms of the bonds that held those building bocks together.
Liquid Waste Decontamination Systems
By Carl C. Schultz, P.E.
The United States has entered into an uneasy time where the study of dangerous biological agents is on the rise. The federal government is channeling millions of dollars into research that is requiring the construction of biosafety laboratories. At the heart of biosafety is the containment of hazardous agents through multiple levels of barriers. Primary barriers pertain to equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks, biosafety cabinets, and respiratory protection as well as the use of good laboratory techniques.