An infectious substance is defined as a substance which is known or reasonably expected to contain pathogens; pathogens are defined as microorganisms and other agents such as prions, which can cause disease in humans or animals.
Infectious substances are divided into two categories:
Category A infectious substances:
Category B infectious substances:
Genetically modified organisms and micro-organisms (organisms and micro-organisms in which genetic material has been purposely altered through genetic engineering in a way that does not occur naturally) which are capable of altering animals, plants or microbiological substances in a way which is not normally the result of natural reproduction.
The shipment of ANY biological materials on dry ice is regulated
It is illegal to ship regulated biological materials without the proper training due to the ever-changing regulations and heavy documentation that must accompany each shipment. Training is also required when shipping on dry ice as a refrigerant.
Register for the Biological Substance Shipping learning track in Ability LMS and complete training every two years.
Before your biological materials can be packaged and shipped the following items must be completed:
Please note that these paperwork requirements can take several weeks to complete, therefore you should prepare well in advance for them.
Non-regulated unless they are packaged with another material that is regulated (e.g., dry ice):
Note: You must still have a Material Transfer Agreement in place to send these materials off campus.
1. Patient specimens with minimal likelihood that pathogens are present
Patient specimen package must be labeled either: "Exempt human specimens" or "Exempt animal specimens."
2. Substances that do not contain infectious substances or substances which are unlikely to cause disease in humans or animals
3. Substances in a form that any present pathogens have been neutralized or inactivated such that they no longer pose a health risk
4. Substances containing microorganisms, which are non-pathogenic to humans or animals
5. Dried blood spots collected by applying a drop of blood onto absorbent material, or fecal occult blood screening tests and blood or blood components, which have been collected for the purposes of transfusion
6. Tissues or organs intended for transplantation
7. Environmental samples (including food and water samples), which are not considered to pose a significant risk of infection