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Pharmaceutical Processing News
News Release from: IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers) | Subject: Foot and Mouth Disease
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 September 2007
Foot and Mouth crisis could have been
avoided
Last month's outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey could have been prevented, according to Keith Plumb, a Chartered chemical engineer and biosecurity expert
The leak - which led to the disease hitting two farms near Guildford - appears to have been caused by the virus escaping through a leaking underground pipe before being brought to the surface by July's flooding It is believed that the virus was then spread by floodwater onto the tyres of vehicles using the site
The pipe connected the private pharmaceutical company, Merial Animal Health to the Institute for Animal Health (IAH), a UK government run research centre.
Plumb says that the case identifies lapses in safety, maintenance and virus handling.
"It is surprising that Merial was apparently allowed to transfer untreated effluent from their premises to the Institute for Animal Health (IAH).
A virulent and persistent virus like Foot and Mouth Disease should be destroyed within the same building as it is being handled and not transferred anywhere else.
"Transferring dangerous liquids through underground pipes is undesirable because leaks are difficult to detect.
Best practice in process engineering suggests running the pipe above ground, making leak detection much easier.
A further layer of protection would be provided by a double pipe system that contained any leaks and this could be backed up by an automatic leak detection system.
A set-up like the one at Pirbright, where an underground pipe transfers harmful liquid from one site to another, can also lead to confusion about who is responsible for maintenance.
The best way to overcome this problem would be to completely separate effluent systems ensuring that liquid waste containing live virus travels the shortest distance possible," Plumb concludes.
This comment from Keith Plumb was issued by IChemE, http://www.processingtalk.com/news/ihe/ihe000.html.
IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers) is the hub for chemical, biochemical and process engineering professionals worldwide.
With a global membership of around 27,000, the Institution is at the heart of the process community, promoting competence and a commitment to best practice, advancing the discipline for the benefit of society and supporting the professional development of its members.
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