Biosafety-Shipping Infectious Substances Training (IATA/DOT)
Employees must receive proper training before shipping infectious substances known to contain or suspected of containing a pathogen.
Click the "Visit Website" link to access the training.
Exempt Patient and Animal Specimens: are patient specimens not likely to contain a pathogen. Although they fall under exemptions, it is not the same as "unregulated". Specific criteria have to be satisfied in order for the material to meet the exempt status. In determining the likelihood that a pathogen is present, professional judgment is based on known patient medical history, symptoms and individual circumstances of the source, and the human or animal endemic local conditions. Exempt materials might include specimens collected directly from humans or animals and transported for research, diagnosis, investigational activities, or disease treatment or prevention. Potential examples: excreta, secreta, blood and its components, tissue and tissue swabs, body parts, and specimens in transport media (e.g.,transwabs, culture media, and blood culture bottles) not likely to contain pathogens. EHS can provide guidance and support services for the proper shipping of these materials. Researchers must also be cognizant of relevant import, export, permit, licensing (FDA) or transfer requirements (i.e., MTA) that involve their research materials. Please be aware that shipping anything on dry ice requires proper advance training as well.