Biorisk generally refers to the risk associated with biological materials and/or infectious agents, also known as pathogens. The term has been used frequently for various purposes since the early 1990s.Ecotoxicology of Soil Organisms: Conference: Papers By Marianne H. Donker, H. Eijsackers, Fred Heimbach Contributor Marianne H. Donker, H. Eijsackers, Fred Heimbach; CRC Press, 1994Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications By Kenneth E. Avis, Herbert A. Lieberman, Leon Lachman Contributor Kenneth E. Avis; Informa Health Care, 1993 The term is used by regulators, security experts, laboratory personnel and industry alike, and is used by the World Health Organization (WHO).The World Health Organization, Biorisk Management: Laboratory Biosecurity Guidance September 2006, WHO/CDS/EPR/2006.6 WHO/Europe also provides tools and training courses in biosafety and biosecurity.The World Health Organization. Biorisk Management: ISST training and certification
An international Laboratory Biorisk Management Standard developed under the auspices of the European Committee for Standardization, defines biorisk as the combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm where the source of harm is a biological agent or toxin.The European Committee for Standardization, Laboratory Biorisk Management Standard, CWA 15793:2008, p.9, www.cen.eu The source of harm may be an unintentional exposure, accidental release or loss, theft, misuse, diversion, unauthorized access or intentional unauthorized release.
Biorisk reduction Biorisk reduction involves creating expertise in managing high-consequence pathogens, by providing training on safe handling and control of pathogens that pose significant health risks.
See also Biocontainment, related to laboratory biosafety levels Biodefense Biodiversity Biohazard Biological warfare Biological Weapons Convention Biosecurity Bioterrorism Cyberbiosecurity Endangered species
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