RESEARCH SECURITY EVALUATION

The Research Security Evaluation requirements apply to all departments that utilize:

∙biological agents or materials that are pathogenic or inherently hazardous to humans, plants or animals if released into the environment

∙organisms involving recombinant DNA or gene therapy

∙sensitive fields and/or areas of technology

∙chemicals

∙isotopes and radiological equipment. 

DEFINITIONS

SELECT AGENTS (SA): The HHS and USDA have developed a list of Select Agents.  It includes viruses, bacteria, fungi and toxins, the use of which is highly restricted. This list has changed several times and is likely to continue to change. The use of select agents must be registered institutionally, as well as laboratory specifically, with the CDC and/or USDA.  Restricted persons may not have access to the agent, or have access to the area where the agent will be used or stored.  The facility must meet the appropriate Biosafety Level standards (BSL-1, 2, 3),  as described in Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), 4^th edition, as well as security standards.

RESTRICTED PERSONS:   a foreign national who cannot have access to select agents, some other critical material, and certain technologies.  Criteria for designation as a Restricted Person are determined by a background evaluation performed by an appropriate law enforcement agency.  An individual is considered a restricted person if they meet one or more of the following:

·        A person under indictment for or convicted of a crime punishable for a term exceeding one year.

·        A fugitive from justice.

·        An unlawful user of controlled substances.

·        An illegal alien or unlawfully in the U.S.

·        Adjudicated as a mental defective.

·        A person who has been committed to a mental institution.

·        One who has received a Dishonorable discharge from the USA armed services.

·        A foreign national affiliated with Cuba, Libya, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria.

NON-PROLIFERATION PERSONS: a foreign national affiliated with China, India, Pakistan, Russia, or Israel.  Foreign nationals affiliated with these countries are subject to the Non-Proliferation Export Control Regulations and may not have access to the technologies listed on the Technology Alert List (TAL).  Criteria for designation as a Non-Proliferation Person is determined by a background evaluation performed by an appropriate law enforcement agency coupled with an evaluation by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

TECHNOLOGY ALERT LIST (TAL) Section 212(a)(3)(A)(i)(II) of the Immigration and Nationality Act was amended in October 2001 to restrict access to certain technologies.  Foreign nationals affiliated with any of the seven countries (Cuba, Libya, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria) that sponsor terrorism will not have access to the specified sensitive technologies.  In addition, foreign nationals affiliated with countries subject to the non-proliferation Export Control regulations (China, India, Israel, Pakistan, and Russia) may not have access to these technologies.

LISTED CHEMICALS - Chemicals listed by the FBI, ATF or other agencies includes explosives, nerve agents, poisons and other materials, which could be utilized for acts of terrorism.  The list, which is maintained by EHS, is not exhaustive and changes frequently.

LISTED RADIOLOGICALS - This list compiled by the FBI, NRC and other agencies is composed of both nuclides and equipment, which could be utilized for acts of terrorism.  The list, which is maintained by EHS, is not exhaustive and may change frequently.