THE CURRENT STATUS OF MONITORING FOR PROCESS MICROORGANISMS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY - RESULTS OF AN INDUSTRY QUESTIONNAIRE

In biotechnology-based industrial processing, micro-organisms may be h andled in large concentrations in liquid culture (fermentation). Where biotechnology is used for high value products such as pharmaceuticals , conditions are usually controlled closely. Containment is important for safety and economic reasons, therefore release of the process orga nism and its products into the work environment is likely to be minimi zed. Nevertheless, instances can and do occur where containment is bre ached. Although monitoring the workplace for release of process organi sms must be seen as advantageous from a worker safety point of view, n o specific guidance is given to the biotechnology industry. We conduct ed a survey by questionnaire to find out what methods were being used to monitor for process micro-organisms or their products in biotechnol ogy, what sampling methods were used, what use was made of acquired da ta, details of any standards used and any need for further information . This paper describes the questionnaire used in the survey and the re sults obtained. The results showed that a range of monitoring methods were being used in well-defined sampling strategies, the monitoring in formation being used to maintain or improve work conditions. However, a need was identified for further information on sampling methods and 'typical' levels of micro-organisms that may be anticipated in the bio technology workplace.