Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am doing a science project dealing with Bacillus Cereus(food poisoning) and I am planning on growing it on a petri dish. I will be doing my procedure under a biological safety cabinet and grow it in an incubator. I will be using all the safety procautions I have learned in my ROP Biotechnology course, such as, using bleach and alcohol on surfaces that I may use that can expose the bacteria, gloves, goggles, sterilizing, aprons, etc. I would like to know any other procautions that Bacillus Cereus may cause problems? If the bacteria is put on a table and a student came by and put his hands on the table, even after the table being bleached, can it cause any harm to the student?

Dear Student,
All the precautions you are taking is very appropriate. You want to dispose those petridshes in a safety hazard container after your experiment is done. There should be enough precautions not to spill any bacteria on table top surfaces and if there is an accidental spill on the table surface then you can clean it with bleach then there should be no harm to anybody. The best thing is not to let the bacteria to be on any table top surfaces. It should be cautiously transfered
from the test tube to the petri dishes and adult supervision is always a must.

Take care,
Jay

Hi Kevin,

Jay has given you some good advice. However, science fairs have strict guidelines regarding the use of microorganisms, especially those known to be harmful to humans. I am not sure whether your science fair will allow the use of Bacillus cereus, so it's a good idea to check with your teacher before proceeding.

In the mean time, here is some information regarding standard guidelines for projects involving microorganisms, as well as safety tips:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ?from=Blog
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... fety.shtml

Heather