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Safe transportation of biological samples

Sterilin has set world standards for quality, reliability and user safety in the field of single-use laboratory plastics for the past 50 years. Now it leads the way by being the first to offer a range of 95 kPa-validated disposable containers for the transportation of clinical specimens. Sian Hayman tells us more. With more and more biological samples being transported through normal mailing systems, using different forms of transportation (from bikes to aeroplanes), the containers used to carry these samples are subject to increasingly tighter transport regulations. The requirements can vary depending on the mode of transport and the classification of samples.

The highly regarded International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidance for infectious substances (Packing Instructions 602) and diagnostic specimens (Packing Instructions 650),1 for example, states that each package must contain a primary and a secondary container; both of which must be leakproof and at least one of the containers needs to pass a 95 kPa (13.8 PSI) pressure test.

These regulations for the transport of potentially hazardous substances are designed to ensure that samples reach their destination in good condition and do not present a hazard to those handling the package along the way.

Leakproof containers
Owing to the unknown nature of a patient sample, it is imperative that the container used is suitable for its intended purpose and provides peace of mind that valuable and potentially infectious material will not leak as it is transferred from one location to another. This is extremely important to ensure the safety of clinicians, biomedical scientists and anyone else who may handle the sample.

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