Biological Safety Level Four Labs

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

A list of all biological safety level four labs operating in the United States.

A list of all biological safety level three labs operating in the United States.

A list of all biological safety level two labs operating in the United States.

A list of all biological safety level one labs operating in the United States.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Bradley Campbell

To: Katherine Norris

In order to expedite the process. I'd like to amend the FOIA request.

I hereby request the following records:

A list, and location, of all biological safety level four labs operating in the United States.

Thank you.

-Bradley

CDC-

I hereby appeal the FOIA rejection. BSL 4 Labs are well known, studied and reported. Popular Mechanics even toured a BSlL 4 lab:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/med-tech/4315093

The Centers for Disease Control Website even has a page dedicated to "Recognizing Biological Safety Levels": http://www.cdc.gov/training/QuickLearns/biosafety/

Also: You specifically state such documents, if they exist, are protected by 42 U.S.C. 262a(h).

The law you cite focuses on the rights the CDC has to protect information pertaining to the following (abridged for clarity): listed agents and toxins, or individuals seeking access to such agents and toxins; registered persons, or persons seeking to register their possession, use, or transfer of such agents and toxins, site-specific safety protocol.

My request asked for the location and list of BSL 4 labs in operation across the US. It does not ask for agents, toxins or even safeguard protocols at each specific site. This also nullifies the argument the CDC can withhold the documents under 45 CFR 5.64 as my specific request does not fall under protections listed in 42 U.S.C. 262a(h).

Finally, due to reporting in popular consumer publication, and publications made on the Centers for Disease Control Website, I am confident such documents exist and believe they are well within the public right to know.

I appreciate your quick response in filling my request.

Sincerely,

Bradley Campbell

Hi John-

I'd like to add this to the appeal. It's an email from a CDC employee that specifically states the CDC monitors and has a current count, or list, of BSL-4 facilities.

I aks that you expedite my request and send me that current count or list.

Message Below. (I've canceled out the recipient's name.) Thank you.

-Bradley

From: McDonald, Jason (CDC/OPHPR/OD) <gnf0@cdc.gov>
Date: Fri, Mar 1, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Subject: RE: Article - BSL-4
To:
Cc: "Skinner, Thomas W. (CDC/OD/OADC)" <tws3@cdc.gov>, "Daigle, David (CDC/OPHPR/OD)" <drd4@cdc.gov>

Good afternoon _______:

There are 347 entities registered with the federal government to work with select agents and toxins. We do keep track of the number of BSL-4 facilities and have a current count. Unfortunately, we will not release publicly that number. I can tell you there are 6 entities registered with the federal select agent program that operate BSL-4 laboratories and that yes, CDC is one of the entities.

Hope this helps.

Jason

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 13, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #13-00873-FOIA ; 13-0582-AA.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 13, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #13-00873-FOIA ; 13-0582-AA.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 13, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #13-00873-FOIA ; 13-0582-AA.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 13, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #13-00873-FOIA ; 13-0582-AA.

Thank you for your help.