All materials that are handled within the BSL-3 facility, with the exception of photographic film (see Section 8),
are automatically considered to be infectious unless specifically disinfected by one of the approved methods
(see Section 10) and should NOT be removed from the facility. Infectious material may be removed from the
BSL-3 without using decontamination procedures only if it is to be received in a laboratory that is
also operating Biosafety Level-3 containment procedures. Before transport, storage vials containing
contaminated materials need to be securely closed and then surface decontaminated, usually by a swabbing
of the outside of the container with 70% ethanol. The vial should then be placed inside a larger container
(i.e., a sealable or taped-shut bag or a screw-top vessel) that carries enough absorbent material inside it to
soak up any spill that may occur, and securely closed. This larger container should then be placed inside a
third container that is to be used as the transportation carrier and which is clearly marked with a biohazard
symbol and the words "BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIAL INSIDE".
The containers used for the transport must be sufficient to prevent accidental contamination and must be approved
by the Laboratory Manager and Wistar's Safety Officer.