== Safety & Lab protocols ==

Interleukin-6 is present in blood plasma, thus the sample preparation in the lab will also take place with human blood plasma as matrix. It is of crucial importance to handle human blood plasma with care due to potential pathogens that can be transmitted, such as Hepatitis viruses and HIV.<ref name="Arti32">Recommendations for the production, control and regulation of human plasma for fractionation, World Health Organization, 2007, https://www.who.int/bloodproducts/publications/TRS941Annex4blood.pdf </ref> Sigma Aldrich has screened the blood plasma in advance on HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, however caution is recommended all the same.<ref name="Arti33">Plasma from human, Sigma Aldrich, Retrieved November 12, 2021 from https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/NL/en/product/sigma/p9523, n.d. </ref> Specific lab protocols and rules will be listed below.

During the preparation of the blood samples, one should avoid physical contact with blood by wearing gloves, glasses, and lab coats. Needles and lancets should be used only once and disposed of in a sharps container for decontamination.<ref name="Arti34">Serum / Plasma Specimens - Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016, https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/diagnosticprocedures/serum/safety.html </ref> Furthermore, cuts already present on hands or arms should be covered with plasters to avoid blood-on-blood contact. After completing the samples, gloves should be removed and hands should be washed thoroughly.<ref name="Arti34">Serum / Plasma Specimens - Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016, https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/diagnosticprocedures/serum/safety.html </ref> The waste should be disposed of in specific biohazard waste bins or bags.