Part I: Surface Modification of Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Recovery of Plasmid DNA and Exclusion of Endotoxins in Recombinant DNA Assays; Part II: Biosafety and Environmental Health Program Implementation Related to Manufacturing and Research of Medical Diagnostic Systems Focusing on Biopsy-Based Cancer Tests and Reagents

Abstract

Part II: Biosafety and Environmental Health Program Implementation Related to Manufacturing and Research of Medical Diagnostic Systems Focusing on Biopsy-Based Cancer Tests and Reagents / Abstract: Occupational and environmental health and safety are essential factors in the public health field. One’s occupation is the central activity for adults, a means to earn an income, and a center for the advancement of society. Safety in the workplace not only provides a secure environment for the employee, but it also reduces costs for the employer over time by diminishing work related injuries, illnesses and lost work time and production delays. Occupational health in turn plays a unique and important part in the environmental health as well. With improved health and safety in a workplace, workers are more conscience of how the hazardous material they dispose of affects themselves as well as their environmental surroundings. It is our duty as inhabitants of this planet, to protect our environmental surrounds. By understanding our ecological footprint contributed by daily work activities we can begin to improve our environmental health. In order to accomplish these goals health and safety programs specific to the occupation and local environmental concerns are necessary. Ventana Medical Systems Inc, is a cancer diagnostics company that specializes in the development and manufacture of primary stain, special stain, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), and in situ hybridization (ISH) staining platforms and reagents. These reagents and platforms are used in hospitals, clinical labs, and research facilities all over the world to diagnose and determine the proper treatment for specific cancers. With such high stakes resting on the quality and production of reagents and staining platforms, employee health and safety is crucial to maintain production of reliable products to customers. In response the Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) department at Ventana is currently employing several different occupational and environmental health programs. Thus for my internship project I participated in compiling waste profiles, performing laboratory audits/walk-throughs, assisting with waste water and storm water profiling, and participating in risk assessments by attending risk assessment meetings and providing feedback. By setting these improved programs into place, SHE at Ventana can ensure that employees become acclimated to safety and health guidelines. Ventana Medical Systems Inc., has already shown progress in reducing waste by recycling, and increasing productivity by reducing employee injury in incident prone work areas. These programs will allow employees to conduct their research and manufacturing in safer and healthier work environments, as well as ensure that the company maintains its goals of improving the impact of business on the environment.