Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What should be done to rodent shipping containers upon receipt?

1. Leave them unopened for inspection

2. Discard them immediately

3. Spray them down with disinfectant

4. Store them without cleaning

The correct answer is: Spray them down with disinfectant

Upon receipt, it is essential to spray rodent shipping containers with disinfectant to ensure biosecurity and maintain a clean environment. This practice is crucial for reducing the risk of contamination and the spread of pathogens that might be present on the exterior of the containers. Disinfecting surfaces helps to protect both the animals being housed and the staff who will be interacting with them. Additionally, it is vital to address any potential contaminants that may have been introduced during transport. Proper disinfection is a proactive measure that contributes to the overall health and safety protocols in a laboratory setting, further supporting animal welfare and compliance with regulations. While leaving the containers unopened for inspection may seem like a cautious step, doing so without prior disinfection doesn't address the potential risk of outside contaminants. Discarding the containers can lead to waste and may not be environmentally responsible, while storing them without cleaning runs the risk of compromising the laboratory environment and any experiments or procedures that follow.