Support research safety: Review inventories for biological toxins

Kansas State University researchers are asked to review inventories and notify the University Select Agent Program if using any listed biological toxin by Wednesday, July 1.

The U.S. government has been closely watching the transfer of certain biological organisms and toxins to combat terrorism since 1995. The Select Agent Program was developed to regulate the possession, use and transfer of biological agents and toxins that could pose a severe threat to public health and safety.

Over the years, the program has evolved to keep pace with science, remove research barriers and simplify coordination among agencies. In 2012, the departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture published final rules amending regulations that govern the possession, use and transfer of select agents and toxins: 42 CFR Part 73, 7 CFR Part 331 and 9 CFR Part 221.

Among the changes were new requirements for transferring select toxins, regardless of quantity. K-State must conduct this annual survey to remain in compliance with the regulations. Researchers possessing any of the toxins listed below are asked to notify the university's Select Agent Program as soon as possible.

Toxins requiring identification

• Abrin
• Botulinum neurotoxins
• Conotoxins
• Diacetoxyscirpenol
• Ricin
• Saxitoxin
• Staphylococcal enterotoxin
• T-2 toxin
• Tetrodotoxin

 

All university principal investigators are asked to review their inventories to verify if they possess any of these toxins. If you do possess any of these toxins — in any quantity — and have not already submitted toxin inventory for 2026, please notify Greg Peterson, responsible official for the University Select Agent Program, at gjpeters@k-state.edu or 785-317-4328 by July 1.

It is recommended to use the Environmental Health and Safety, or EHS, Assistant inventory system to track the type, quantity and location of toxins. Researchers whose toxin inventories are current in EHS Assistant only need to report that their inventory is up to date in the system to generate a report. Researchers whose toxin inventories are not yet in or are not current in EHS Assistant must email their inventory to Greg Peterson.

— Submitted by Tyler Jones and Greg Peterson