Rate of Splashes When Opening Microfuge Tubes with Various Methods.

Area of Science:

• Laboratory safety
• Biorisk management
• Microbiology

Background:

• Snap-cap microcentrifuge tubes are common in biological labs.
• Data on splash frequency during tube opening is limited.
• Understanding splash frequency is crucial for effective biorisk management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify splash frequency when opening snap-cap microcentrifuge tubes.
• To compare splash rates across different opening methods.
• To assess splash distribution on surfaces and personnel.

Main Methods:

• Tested four different methods for opening snap-cap tubes.
• Used Glo Germ solution as a tracer to detect splashes.
• Measured splash frequency on benchtop, gloves, and lab coats.

Main Results:

• Splashes occurred frequently regardless of the opening method used.
• The one-handed method resulted in the highest splash rate on all surfaces.
• Gloves showed the highest splash rates (70-97%), followed by the benchtop (2-40%).

Conclusions:

• All tested methods for opening snap-cap tubes frequently generate splashes.
• The one-handed method is the most error-prone.
• Frequent splashes necessitate enhanced safety measures like personal protective equipment and secondary containment.