22 Questions
What is the primary difference between Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) and Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4)?
BSL-4 builds on BSL-3 practices and adds maximum containment facilities, pressurized containment suites, chemical decontamination showers, and liquid effluent collection/decontamination.
What is the purpose of a Biosafety Cabinet in a laboratory setting?
To provide a safe environment for handling biological agents by containing aerosols and preventing contamination.
What personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended when working with biological agents?
A minimum of lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves.
What is the proper procedure for cleaning up accidental spills of biological agents?
Evacuate the area, put on PPE, cover the spill with paper towels and apply bleach solution, allow 15-20 minutes contact time, and wipe up the spill working towards the center.
What is Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4) typically associated with?
Handling of dangerous and exotic agents that can cause life-threatening disease, with no known treatment, and aerosol transmission.
What is the importance of proper attire in a laboratory setting?
To prevent exposure to biological agents and to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.
What is the purpose of a Biosafety Officer and a Biosafety Manual?
To ensure compliance with biosafety protocols and to provide guidelines for safe handling of biological agents.
What is the significance of documenting training and personnel competency in a laboratory setting?
To ensure that personnel are trained and competent in handling biological agents and following biosafety protocols.
What is the primary purpose of primary containment barriers in a laboratory setting?
To minimize exposure to hazards and prevent contact with aerosols.
What type of agents are handled in Biosafety Level-1 laboratories?
Well characterized agents that are not known to cause disease in healthy human adults.
What is the purpose of Biological Safety Cabinets in a laboratory?
To prevent exposure to hazardous materials and contain aerosols.
What type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required in Biosafety Level-2 laboratories?
Lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves.
What is the main difference between Biosafety Level-1 and Biosafety Level-2?
Biosafety Level-2 handles agents associated with human disease, whereas Biosafety Level-1 handles agents not known to cause disease.
What is the purpose of daily decontamination in Biosafety Level-1 laboratories?
To prevent the spread of hazardous materials.
What type of waste disposal is required in Biosafety Level-1 laboratories?
Red bag waste disposal.
What is the primary purpose of Biosafety Cabinets in laboratory design?
To provide a safe working environment and prevent exposure to hazardous materials.
What is the primary concern when working with Risk Group 3 Agents, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
Aerosol transmission and serious health effects, with treatment not always existing.
What is a critical aspect of Biosafety Level 3 practices?
Daily decontamination after a spill and upon completion of an experiment, and autoclaving of waste at the end of the day.
What type of handwashing sink is required in a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory?
A foot-activated handwashing sink with controls.
What personal protective equipment is required in a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory?
Wrap-around disposable clothing.
What is the purpose of minimizing aerosol transmission in a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory?
To prevent the spread of airborne pathogens and protect laboratory personnel.
What is the purpose of specialized equipment in a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory?
To provide additional safety features and containment depending on the specific procedures being performed.
Study Notes
Biosafety Level 3
- Risk Group 3 Agents include Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Coxiella burnetii
- BSL-3 agents are indigenous or exotic, have aerosol transmission, and can cause serious health effects with treatment may or may not exist
- BSL-3 practices include:
- Public access not permitted
- Daily decontamination after spill and upon completion of experiment
- Autoclave required and waste disposal at the end of day
- Required foot-activated handwashing sink and controls
- No sharps unless absolutely necessary
- Aerosol minimization procedures required
- Wrap-around disposable clothing is required
- Specialized equipment may be required depending on procedures
Biosafety Concepts
- Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) is a CDC/NIH publication
- The BMBL is a "Gold Standard" in industry and provides guidelines for safety in laboratories
- Biosafety issues include:
- Safety equipment
- Primary Containment Barrier
- Minimize exposure to hazard
- Engineering controls/equipment
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Biological Safety Cabinets
- Covered or ventilated animal cage systems
Biosafety Level 1
- BSL-1 agents are well characterized and not known to cause disease in healthy human adults
- Prophylactic treatment is available
- Open bench procedures are allowed
- Animals are in open cage systems or open environments
- Good laboratory practices are required
- Risk Group 1 Agents include E. coli K-12, transgenic plants, plasmids, fungi, mold, and yeast
Biosafety Level 1 Practices
- Bench-top work is allowed
- Daily decontamination is required
- Manual pipetting is allowed
- Handwashing is required
- Red bag waste is required
- Bio cabinet is not required unless creating aerosols
- 2˚ containment is required
Risk Group 2 Agents
- Risk Group 2 Agents include human or primate cells, herpes simplex virus, replication-incompetent viruses, and patient specimens
Biosafety Level 2 Practices
- Agents are associated with human disease
- Treatment for disease is available
- Agent poses moderate hazard to personnel and environment
- Direct contact or exposure can occur
- Percutaneous exposure and mucus membrane exposure can occur
- Practices include:
- Limited access to lab when work in progress
- Daily decontamination
- Mechanical pipetting
- Labcoat, safety glasses, and gloves required
- Red bag and sharps containers required
- Biohaz. signs and labels posted
- Air flow from low hazard to high hazard
Biosafety Level 3 Practices
- Bench-top work is not permitted
- Documented training and personnel competency certification required
- Baseline serology is required
- Spills must be reported immediately and treated accordingly
- Vaccinations/post-exposure protocols and SOPs are required
- Biosafety Manual and Biosafety Officer are required
Biosafety Level 4
- Builds on BSL-3/ABSL-3 practices
- Maximum containment facilities are required
- Pressurized Containment Suite is required
- Chemical decontamination showers are required
- Liquid effluent collection and decontamination are required
- Risk Group 4 Agents include Lassa fever virus, Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus, Marburg virus, and Herpes B virus
General Good Lab Technique
- Hygienic practices include:
- No smoking, eating, applying cosmetics, lip balm, or contacts
- Washing hands after procedures
- Decontaminating lab bench before and after work
- General operational practices include:
- Proper attire (minimum: lab coat, safety glasses, gloves)
- Planning your work
- Reading available resources (MSDS)
Accidental Spills
- Evacuate area, alert personnel, and cordon off so that aerosols may settle
- Don PPE, cover with paper towels, and apply bleach (1 part bleach: 9 parts water)
- Allow 15-20 minutes contact time
- Wipe up working towards center
- Use tongs if broken glass is involved
- Check if recombinant DNA is involved
This quiz covers the safety protocols and procedures for working with high-risk biological agents in a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory. Topics include signage, equipment labeling, ventilation systems, training, and vaccination requirements.
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