Difference between revisions of "Team:Aalto-Helsinki/Safety"
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<h3>Safe Lab Work</h3> | <h3>Safe Lab Work</h3> | ||
− | <p></br>We worked at Level 1 (low risk) laboratory because the only bacteria we handled were the strains TOP10 and BL21 (DE3) of <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The enzymes of our bacteria were foreign genes from the bacterial species of <i>Clostridium</i>, <i>Haemophilus</i>, <i>Mycobacterium</i>, <i>Prochlorococcus</i> and <i>Bacillus</i> but these extracted genes expressing enzymes for intermediates didn't contain any pathogen risks. We ordered the synthesis of these genes which weren’t available as BioBricks. The companies are constantly | + | <p></br>We worked at Level 1 (low risk) laboratory because the only bacteria we handled were the strains TOP10 and BL21 (DE3) of <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The enzymes of our bacteria were foreign genes from the bacterial species of <i>Clostridium</i>, <i>Haemophilus</i>, <i>Mycobacterium</i>, <i>Prochlorococcus</i> and <i>Bacillus</i> but these extracted genes expressing enzymes for intermediates didn't contain any pathogen risks. We ordered the synthesis of these genes which weren’t available as BioBricks. The gene synthesis companies are constantly Blasting the ordered gene sequences with the pathogenic ones so the shipping isn’t preceded if hazardous material is found.</br></br></p> |
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− | <p>Everyone in our team | + | <p>Everyone in our team who worked in the lab had previous experience from lab work. They had also received mandatory training on how to work in safely in the laboratory as a part of their studies. Some of the topics of this training include personal protective equipment, how to work with different chemicals and GMOs and dispose of them, how to mark reagents, on safety labels, on biosafety levels, on most common lab accidents and how to avoid them, what to do in case of an accident, on different types of hoods (laminar flow cabinet, fume hood), on the importance of proper planning and cleaning up after oneself, etc.</br></br> |
+ | Additionally, we had a lab safety lecture held by an instructor specifically about the lab we worked in, covering similar topics (PPE, waste disposal etc.). All of our team members who worked in the lab took part to this lecture and the following round in the lab spaces. Furthermore, the location of first aid kits, fire extinguishers and emergency showers in the laboratory were shown to us by an instructor. None of our team members are allowed to be alone in the lab and work during nights or weekends always needed a permission from the lab personnel.</br></br> | ||
− | + | Our strain will produce highly flammable propane gas. The lower flammability limit is 1,8 % and upper 8,4 % of air volume (Airgas, 2014). In the study the University of Turku (Kallio et al. 2014) made the maximum produced propane amount without extra 80% oxygen addition was 0,5 mg/L which can be considered to be below flammable concentration. Still, the accumulation of propane was prevented with proper ventilation during the cultivation processes for GC-analysis and continuous production. MSDS must be read before handling the strain producing propane. | |
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− | Our strain will produce highly flammable propane gas | + | |
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<b>Who will use your product? What opinions do these people have about your project?</b></br></br> | <b>Who will use your product? What opinions do these people have about your project?</b></br></br> | ||
− | Consumers | + | Consumers will use propane as a fuel for vehicles and cooking. Most likely they would value the sustainable fuel and increasing options for commercial biobased fuels. Furthermore, the consumers would approve better ignition and combustion abilities.</br></br> |
<b>Where will your product be used? On a farm, in a factory, inside human bodies, in the ocean?</b></br></br> | <b>Where will your product be used? On a farm, in a factory, inside human bodies, in the ocean?</b></br></br> | ||
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<b>Is it safer, cheaper, or better than other technologies that do the same thing?</b></br></br> | <b>Is it safer, cheaper, or better than other technologies that do the same thing?</b></br></br> | ||
− | It has the benefit of better energy consumption. Storing may contain more hazards compared to non-pressurized biofuels like ethanol but as the safe infrastructure already exists, | + | It has the benefit of better energy consumption. Storing may contain more hazards compared to non-pressurized biofuels like ethanol but as the safe infrastructure already exists, consumers can trust that the new product is safe to use. |
</p> | </p> | ||
Revision as of 15:49, 12 September 2015