Decontamination of high containment laboratories for demolition: a risk-based approach

Introduction: Decontamination of redundant laboratories, contained plant space, and support buildings used to handle high consequence animal pathogens (North America BSL-3Ag, UK SAPO4) was required before demolition to mitigate the risk that infectious material was released into the environment. Methods: Given the age of the buildings and their construction, bespoke qualitative risk-based methods were developed by biorisk personnel, in consultation with specialist contractors where applicable. This approach was to give assurance that suitable decontamination was achievable, sometimes through multilayered approaches to disinfection. Time was considered as a contributing factor in decontamination. Different means of achieving decontamination were employed, and waste management was considered as part of the overall process ensuring a “cradle to grave” approach. Summary: This article describes the challenges and solutions, faced by a UK facility licensed to work on high hazard pathogens, including foot-and-mouth disease virus and African swine fever virus. The risk-based approach (and methods described herein) may also be applicable to routine decontamination of younger buildings, that is, during renovations or temporary derestriction.