In addition to following general laboratory safety rules, additional rules must be implemented in the microbiology lab since students are working with living organisms and the risk of student exposure to these organisms must be minimized. The four basic routes of exposure to microorganisms are (1) contact with skin and mucous membranes, (2) ingestion, (3) inhalation, and (4) inoculation. Specific lab safety guidelines are designed to address each of these potential routes of exposure. Contact with skin and mucous membranes can be