From: Ian blenkharn@ianblenkharn.com
Category: Miscellaneous
Date: 25 Aug 2008
Time: 10:28:30 +0200
Remote Name: 86.146.8.18
After the disaster that occurred following errors at Pirbright resulting in the release of foot and mouth virus, news of similar poor standards and disregard for safety at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratories at Atlanta.
At their new $214 million infectious disease laboratory in Atlanta, scientists are conducting experiments on bioterror bacteria in a room with a containment door sealed with duct tape. The tape was applied around the edges of the door a year ago after the building's ventilation system malfunctioned and pulled potentially contaminated air out of the lab and into a "clean" hallway.
And on Dec. 18, the building was evacuated after its new medical waste incinerator was started for a test, then vented smoke into the high-containment lab area, according to internal CDC memos recently obtained by the AJC. Excessive heat caused the failure of the incinerator's bypass stack, which tore away from its anchor bolts and fire caulk, the records show. The damaged stack was repaired in January — under warranty and without additional taxpayer cost, CDC officials said last week. The incinerator problem has played no role in the delays, they said, and it has since been certified by state regulators and is now operational. [more]
Now, all together........Fingers Crossed!