Compliance with environmental, health, and safety rules and regulations is the responsibility of all persons involved in research activities at the University of Wyoming. This page of resources will help researchers determine which regulations apply and how to comply. Click on the terms below for more assistance. Questions or broken Links? PLEASE NOTIFY uwehs@uwyo.edu

Biological Hazards

To use the following biological hazards, refer to the UW Biological Safety program

• Recombinant DNA (UW EHS link) - Recombinant DNA molecules are defined as either: (i) molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell, or (ii) molecules that result from the replication of those described in (i) above.
• Pathogens including attenuated vaccine strains (UW EHS link) - A microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus, that causes disease in its animal or plant host including Select Agents.
• Biological Toxins - Any toxic substance that can be produced by microorganisms, animals and plants. Most biological toxins manifest acute effects, though a few produce long-term effects.

Chemical Hazards

To use any of the following chemical hazards, refer to the Chemical Hygiene program

• Acutely Toxic Chemicals and Gases (UW EHS link) - Toxic and reactive highly hazardous chemicals which present a potential for a catastrophic event at or above a threshold quantity. (Excluding Biological Toxins, which are listed above)
• Nanoparticles or Nanotechnology (UW EHS link) - Microscopic particles whose size is measured in nanometers. Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce new structures, materials and devices.
• Pyrophoric, Water Reactive or Shock Sensitive materials (UW EHS link) - Chemicals that will ignite spontaneously in air at a temperature of 130 deg. F (54.4 deg. C) or below.

• Select Carcinogens (UW EHS link) - Any substance (excluding radionuclides or radiation, which are listed below) that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer.

 Radiation Hazards

To use any of the following radiation hazards, refer to the Radiation Safety program

• Lasers (Type 3.B or 4) (UW EHS link) - Class 3B and 4 lasers (as classified under ANSI Z135.1-2007) can cause injuries to the eyes and skin, as well as fires, electrical and other hazards.
• Radioactive materials (byproduct material, special nuclear material, source material) (UW EHS link) - Includes sealed or unsealed unstable isotopes that are: 1) produced in nuclear reactors or accelerators; 2) artificially enriched special nuclear (fissionable) materials; or 3) discrete forms of radium or other natural radionuclides.

• X-rays or other equipment generating ionizing radiation (UW EHS link) - Electronic sources of ionizing radiation (primarily x-rays) that are not radioactive materials covered above.

Regulated Waste Disposal

To dispose of many of the above hazards, refer to the Waste Management program