Transportation

The collection, handling and transport of biological agents or wastes involve a risk of exposure for the personnel involved. Therefore, from the reception of the samples to the elimination of the waste generated, all operations must be properly systematized.

Establishing an efficient and safe transport system is essential to ensure that samples arrive at the laboratory in optimal conditions and to avoid situations that could compromise human health or the environment.

A researcher carries a set of blood samples.

Intracenter transportation

The transport of biological agents or infectious materials within the workplace, in order to maintain the required containment conditions and prevent any leakage, must be carried out using a packaging system that minimizes risks of contact or exposure.

The intraplant packaging system is usually composed of two elements: the primary container containing the biological agent or infectious material and the secondary container for transport. The primary container must be sealed, leak-proof and properly labeled in relation to the contents. This container must be wrapped with sufficient absorbent material to absorb the liquid in case of breakage or spillage and placed in a secondary container to transport it. These secondary containers must also be leak-proof, leak-proof, and must be autoclavable or resistant to the action of chemical disinfectants.

Plastic box with a "Frozen viral" label and different samples with biohazard labels
Technique with gloves and gown carrying blood samples
Image of stefamerpik, Freepik

When dealing with samples for diagnosis and the primary recipient is not stable (for example, tubes with blood), these are placed in supports (rack type or similar) that guarantee stability. The set will be transported in a secondary container (e.g. a cooler).

In some cases, a third element/transport system may be required to further reinforce containment, such as, for example, the use of a trolley or similar to move the material, thus providing security, organisation, adequate mobility and, therefore, contributing to maintaining the integrity of the samples during transport.

Transportation to other centers

If biological agents or infectious materials, or those suspected of being infectious, are to be sent outside the workplace, it is essential to place the first and second containers in a third container that is resistant to physical damage during transport. This must be suitably labelled and marked, and show the information relating to the sender and addressee. In addition, the package must be accompanied by all the documentation related to the shipment, which must also be sent in duplicate to the addressee by a means besides transport.

Existing transport regulations and recommendations originate from the proposals of the World Health Organization (WHO), adopted by the United Nations (UN) and their respective international transport organizations. The basic objective is to facilitate the simplified and safe shipment of infectious materials, while protecting the safety of transport personnel and the public.

The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes the Guide to the Transport of Infectious Substances Regulations, which provides information on the classification of infectious substances and packaging and labeling instructions to ensure the safe transport of materials containing biological agents.

Category B transport kit of the company CIBESMED
Image from CIBESMED

These instructions differ according to the type of biological material we are interested in transporting. The steps to follow for a correct and safe transport management are as follows:

  1. Classification of biological material as hazardous or non-hazardous cargo.
  2. Transport packaging: pack and label appropriately, according to the content of the package, following the regulatory requirements.
  3. Transport through a qualified and authorized company for the transport of biological material.

Classification of biological material

The classification of biological material will determine the characteristics and requirements to be met by its packaging, labeling and accompanying documentation, in relation to the risk associated with the material throughout the transport chain.

Biological materials are classified according to transport regulations as hazardous (class 6.2 and class 9) or non-hazardous (exempt) goods.

  • Class 6.2 (category A or category B infectious substances) consists of substances that contain, or are reasonably expected to contain, human or animal pathogens.
  • Class 9 (miscellaneous) includes modified microorganisms, not harmful to humans or animals, but which could lead to changes in animals, plants or bacteria, as well as in the ecosystem. Also included are microorganisms harmful to the environment, which must be transported under conditions specified by the competent authorities of the country of origin.

Hazardous cargo

Hazardous goods are those that pose a danger during transport. If they belong to the group of hazardous biological materials, they are classified in the following group:

Class 6, Division 6.2: Infectious Substances

The transport regulations classify infectious substances as class 6 materials, division 6.2 and can be either category A or category B materials:

Category A

It is an infectious substance that is carried in a form that, if exposed, is capable of causing permanent incapacitation, endangering life or constituting a fatal disease in humans or previously healthy animals.

Category A infectious substances will be assigned to a transport name:
UN 2814: INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCE FOR HUMAN BEINGS, CATEGORY A

Category B

It is an infectious substance that does not meet the criteria for inclusion in category A.

Category B infectious substances will be assigned to a transport name:

UN 3373: BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B

Class 9: Miscellaneous

Various hazardous substances, including those harmful to the environment.

International shipments of non-infectious genetically modified organisms or microorganisms (GMOs) are assigned to Class 9 (Miscellaneous).

Substances in this class 9, in this case, will be assigned to a transport name:
UNE 3245: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

NON-hazardous cargo

It is important to note that biological substances that do not present a risk of containing pathogens are exempt from complying with the rules and requirements applicable to hazardous goods:

  • Materials that do not contain infectious substances or are not likely to cause disease to humans or animals.
  • Substances with non-pathogenic microorganisms for humans or animals.
  • Substances with pathogens that have been previously inactivated or neutralized.
  • Environmental samples with a low probability of presence of infectious substances or in which the concentration of these substances represents a level similar to that found in nature, and which are not considered posing a significant risk of infection.
  • Blood or its components collected and sent for transfusion or transplantation.
  • Dried blood samples on filter paper and fecal samples for the diagnosis of inadvertent gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Decontaminated medical or clinical waste.

Packaging for transportation

As a general rule, packaging for infectious substances and diagnostic samples consists of three layers: a) a primary container where the sample is placed; b) a secondary watertight recipient containing absorbent material in sufficient quantity to absorb all the liquid in the sample in case of leakage or spillage; c) an outer packaging to protect the secondary recipient from external influences (physical deterioration, water/humidity…) during transport.

On the outside of the secondary recipient, a copy of the data form relating to the sample must be attached, as well as the indications that allow the sample to be identified or described. It is advisable to send another copy of the form directly to the receiving laboratory, while the sender should keep a third copy. In this way, the receiving laboratory will be able to identify the sample and decide how to handle and examine it.

Non-hazardous biological materials must also be transported in a safe manner in order to minimize the likelihood of fire or explosions and thus prevent unnecessary alarms in the event of exposure to this type of material.

The efficient transport of infectious substances requires good coordination between the shipper, the carrier and the receiving laboratory to ensure safe transport and timely receipt of the shipment in good condition, and packaging instructions applicable to the type of substance/product must be followed. The following is a description of the most common packaging:

Material or name of transportInfectious substances category AInfectious substances category BNon-hazardous
Risk labelDiamond-shaped label, with a sign of biological hazard and the phrase A diamond-shaped label with the letters UN3373 and the phrase Two requadres, each one with a phrase:
Primary container (tube, plate…)Packaging P620Packaging P650 ADR exemption
Primary vessel (tube, plate…)Watertight with fixing system in the cap. Resistant to internal differential pressure of 95 kPa between -40 °C and +55 °CTightness to withstand internal pressure test of 95 kPa at ambient temperatureTightness
AbsorbentIf the sample is liquid, between primary and secondary in sufficient quantity to absorb the totality of the liquid contained
Secondary packaging (bag, jar or box)Watertight to withstand the internal differential pressure test of 95 kPa between -40 °C and +55 °CWatertight. Rigid, if the exterior is not rigid, and that withstands the internal pressure test of 95 kPa at ambient temperature.
External packaging or
tertiary		Rigid. Minimum size 100×100 mmRigid if it is not the secondary one and minimum size of 100×100 mmSufficiently robust for handling and transport, and minimum size of 100×100 mm.

For more information, you can consult the packing instructions.

Transportation

All personnel involved in the packaging, labeling and shipment of biological material must be adequately trained and accredited, and must be competent and knowledgeable of the relevant national, regional and international regulations.

Biological material must be transported ensuring a fast and reliable system for delivery to the recipient, with the assistance of personnel such as professional logistics service providers who are trained and competent in the shipping and transport process.

Efficient transport and transfer of biological materials requires coordination between the sender (shipper, consignor), the logistics providers, the carrier and the consignee to ensure timely and proper transport and arrival.

The sender (shipper, consignor) is responsible for providing the corresponding documentation (e.g., certificates or permits) required by the national authorities of the exporting, transshipment and importing countries, as well as for ensuring that the shipment also complies with all other applicable regulations.

For more information on packaging for transport to other facilities, please consult the document on the triple packaging system.

If you have any doubts about which transport companies are UB suppliers, please contact the Purchasing Unit: compres@ub.edu.

Further information