Overview
Animals and plants not associated with the work being performed are not permitted in the lab.
Animals and plants not associated with the work being conducted are not be allowed in biological research labs. This practice helps prevent contamination coming into the lab and also eliminates a method by which microorganisms could escape the lab. Plants often attract insects, and those insects could carry contamination into as well as out of the laboratory.
It will most likely be rare to cite this item, but you could find house plants in a lab that works with human pathogens. Another example would be “lab pets” like a fish tank or some other small animal kept in the laboratory. If you find anything like these examples, cite this item and inform the lab that those are not allowed in research labs. If you get pushback from the lab occupants, simply say that you are going to bring it back to the BSO for assessment.
You will not be expected to distinguish between house plants and research plants, so use your judgment and personal knowledge on this in plant biology labs. Alternatively, ask lab workers if the plant or animal is part of the research projects.