Biosecurity refers to the measures that are taken to protect human health and the environment from the introduction or release of harmful biological agents, such as pathogens, toxins, and pests. Biosecurity measures may include:
- Access controls to restrict who can enter and leave areas where hazardous biological agents are present
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers who come into contact with hazardous biological agents
- Decontamination procedures for equipment and work surfaces that may have been contaminated with hazardous biological agents
- Waste management procedures to properly dispose of hazardous biological waste
- Surveillance and monitoring to detect the presence of hazardous biological agents
Biosafety, on the other hand, refers to the measures that are taken to protect workers, the public, and the environment from the potential hazards of working with biological agents in the laboratory or other controlled settings. Biosafety measures may include:
- Proper containment of biological agents within the laboratory
- Use of appropriate PPE and laboratory safety equipment
- Training for laboratory workers on how to handle biological agents safely
- Emergency response plans for dealing with accidental releases of biological agents
In general, biosecurity measures are more focused on protecting the environment and the public from hazardous biological agents, while biosafety measures are more focused on protecting workers and the laboratory environment. However, both biosecurity and biosafety are essential for ensuring the safe handling and use of biological agents.