>After reading this paper, do you think your campus has it nailed? Is there room for improvement? Or do you have virtually no chemical security whatsoever? I’m curious how big of an issue this is on campuses around the US.
My experience is that the answer to this question depends on who you ask. Animal care research facilities tend to be quite secure (with the caveat below). But when I have brought this issue up with researchers about specific chemicals they have on hand, I received blank stares. I have also heard from people who think routinely think about security issues (i.e. campus police and the FBI) that have been left aghast that they have been able to casually go into in chemical laboratories and handle chemicals without being challenged.
Caveat: People may remember that part of the anthrax event after 9/11 included a laboratory situation at the University of Connecticut that highlights the challenge of lab security:
https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2001-12-01-0112011029-story.html
Sandia Labs has been on the forefront thinking about this issue, but I believe that they have received more interest outside the US than domestically on this topic.
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
ralph**At_Symbol_Here**rstuartcih.org
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