Biosafety cabinet

Biosafety Cabinet

A biosafety cabinet (BSC) — also known as a biological safety cabinet or microbiological safety cabinet — is an enclosed, ventilated laboratory workspace designed to safely handle pathogens or potentially hazardous materials. These cabinets are an essential component in the laboratories dealing with infectious agents, providing a primary means of containment to protect laboratory workers and the surrounding environment from pathogen exposure.

Types of Biosafety Cabinets

There are three main types of biosafety cabinets, each classified according to the level of protection they offer and their specific construction and airflow patterns: Class I, Class II, and Class III.

• Class I Biosafety Cabinet: Provides protection for the user and the environment but not the sample. Air is drawn away from the user and filtered before being exhausted to the outside.
• Class II Biosafety Cabinet: Offers protection for the user, environment, and samples. It features HEPA-filtered laminar airflow within the cabinet and exhausts air that is also filtered. Class II cabinets are further divided into types A1, A2, B1, and B2 based on their airflow patterns and exhaust systems.
• Class III Biosafety Cabinet: Provides the highest level of protection for the user, environment, and samples. It is a completely enclosed and ventilated cabinet with a non-opening, transparent front. Operations within the cabinet are conducted through attached gloves.

Design and Function

Biosafety cabinets are designed to prevent biological exposure to pathogens and hazardous materials. They achieve this through the use of HEPA filters, which remove particles and microorganisms from the air, and by maintaining a constant airflow to prevent escape of harmful agents. The design also includes features such as UV lights for sterilization, gas taps, and secure pass-through boxes for material transfer, enhancing the safety and functionality of these cabinets.

Usage and Maintenance

Proper usage and maintenance are critical to the effectiveness of biosafety cabinets. This includes routine certification and testing, such as airflow velocity and filter integrity tests, to ensure they are functioning correctly. Users must be trained in proper techniques, such as how to work within the cabinet without disrupting the airflow and how to clean and disinfect the cabinet to prevent contamination.

Applications

Biosafety cabinets are used in various settings, including research laboratories, clinical and diagnostic laboratories, and pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. They are essential for work involving infectious agents, genetically modified organisms, and hazardous materials, providing a controlled environment for experiments and procedures that could pose a risk to health and safety.

Regulations and Standards

The design, operation, and certification of biosafety cabinets are governed by various national and international standards and guidelines. In the United States, the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 49 is commonly followed, while globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Standard (EN 12469) provide guidelines for the safe use of these cabinets.

See Also

• Laboratory Safety
• Infectious Disease
• HEPA Filter
• Containment Laboratory

External Links

• CDC's Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) - Appendix A
• WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual

Images

• Image of a Class II Biosafety Cabinet on Wikimedia Commons

Please note that while this article provides a comprehensive overview of biosafety cabinets, including their types, design, function, and applications, it is essential to consult specific guidelines and standards for detailed operational procedures and safety measures.