Which of the following is a safety risk in drinking water and wastewater laboratories?

• A. Disease-causing organisms in samples.
• B. Non-stick coatings on beakers.
• C. Bright colored signage.
• D. The absence of an emergency plan.

Answer: (A)

Biological hazards in environmental samples are the main safety concern in drinking water and wastewater labs. Samples can contain disease-causing organisms that may infect you through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of aerosols generated during handling. Because of that, workers must treat specimens as potentially infectious and follow standard precautions and appropriate containment to minimize exposure. While good signage and an emergency plan contribute to overall safety, the inherent risk from the samples themselves comes from these pathogens, making their presence the most significant safety concern.