Science lab safety still under review

When the first news of anthrax threats broke in October, many people turned to universities as possible sources of the biological chemical. About that time, Congress passed the USA Patriot Act, an anti-terrorism bill that prompted IU to make sure its science labs and chemical agents used for research are secure. \nA thorough investigation of the safety of scientific research labs began shortly after the passage of the bill, said Ann Gellis, a law professor and associate dean for Office of Research and University Graduate School. \nThe assessment is expected to be completed in mid-February and includes all regional campuses, with the exception of IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis and IUPU at Fort Wayne, said Norma Hollingsworth, compliance officer for the Office of Research and the University Graduate School.\n"We've always had to follow the regulation for years and years," Hollingsworth said. "No one was prepared for the terrorist attacks. It changes everyone's perspective of how we did this."\nSo far, only one lab on the Bloomington campus has required security reinforcement -- a lock had to be changed, Gellis said. \nShe said lab security was not previously compromised but that the change was only a security reinforcement.\nThere has been no incident or cause for concern, Gellis said.\nThe number of labs with potentially dangerous biological agents remains undisclosed, as does the type of agent being researched, Hollingsworth said.\n"Under the statute, we need to be sure our labs are secure and no one who ought not have access has it," Gellis said.