Signs & Labels

Anyone entering areas where biohazardous materials are used must be aware of the potential hazards. Specific door signs for this purpose are provided by EH&S; call (515) 294-5359.     

Red door signs indicating human biohazards must be posted at the entrance of rooms where microorganisms or biological toxins known to cause disease in humans are used. This includes microorganisms requiring containment at Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) or greater and human blood, tissues, cell lines or OPIM.
Yellow door signs indicating animal biohazards must be posted at the entrance of rooms where animal pathogens are used.
Dark green door signs indicating plant biohazards must be posted at the entrance of rooms where plant pathogens or pests are used, or where certain GMO plants are grown, stored, or processed.

When choosing which sign to use where multiple biohazards are present, human hazards generally take precedence over animal and plant hazards. For assistance and to obtain correct signs, call EH&S at (515) 294-5359.

Labels

Red or orange biohazard labels must be placed on containers and storage units (refrigerators, freezers, incubators, waste containers, etc.) used for microorganisms or biological toxins causing disease in humans, or human blood, tissues, cell lines or OPIM. Contaminated equipment and biohazardous waste must be labeled in the same manner.