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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a Class III biosafety cabinet?
What is the primary purpose of a Class III biosafety cabinet?
- To facilitate open-air laboratory procedures
- To provide a workspace for tissue culture
- To store hazardous materials safely
- To offer the highest degree of protection from bioaerosols (correct)
What is the function of the HEPA filters in a Class III biosafety cabinet?
What is the function of the HEPA filters in a Class III biosafety cabinet?
- To increase the airflow velocity inside the cabinet
- To filter and clean the air entering and leaving the cabinet (correct)
- To prevent air from entering the cabinet
- To maintain a constant temperature within the cabinet
How do workers interact with materials inside a Class III biosafety cabinet?
How do workers interact with materials inside a Class III biosafety cabinet?
- Through attached rubber gloves (correct)
- Using automated systems without manual input
- By using open hands
- With specialized robotic arms
Which additional safety feature may be included with a Class III biosafety cabinet?
Which additional safety feature may be included with a Class III biosafety cabinet?
What must a Class III biosafety cabinet be connected to for sterilization purposes?
What must a Class III biosafety cabinet be connected to for sterilization purposes?
What is the primary factor in determining the biosafety level for handling infectious agents?
What is the primary factor in determining the biosafety level for handling infectious agents?
Which of the following microorganisms falls under WHO risk group 1?
Which of the following microorganisms falls under WHO risk group 1?
What defines microorganisms in WHO risk group 3?
What defines microorganisms in WHO risk group 3?
What is the highest risk category assigned to infectious agents by WHO?
What is the highest risk category assigned to infectious agents by WHO?
What is the purpose of biosafety cabinets in microbiological laboratories?
What is the purpose of biosafety cabinets in microbiological laboratories?
Which biosafety level indicates the highest level of control in a laboratory?
Which biosafety level indicates the highest level of control in a laboratory?
Which of the following factors is NOT a consideration in a biological risk assessment?
Which of the following factors is NOT a consideration in a biological risk assessment?
Which characteristic is specific to Class II biosafety cabinets?
Which characteristic is specific to Class II biosafety cabinets?
What type of diseases do microorganisms in WHO risk group 2 typically cause?
What type of diseases do microorganisms in WHO risk group 2 typically cause?
What distinguishes Class III biosafety cabinets from Class II?
What distinguishes Class III biosafety cabinets from Class II?
Which of the following statements about biosafety levels is correct?
Which of the following statements about biosafety levels is correct?
Which equipment can promote aerosolization of microorganisms in laboratories?
Which equipment can promote aerosolization of microorganisms in laboratories?
What describes a microbiological laboratory?
What describes a microbiological laboratory?
How many biosafety levels are established for research in microbiological laboratories?
How many biosafety levels are established for research in microbiological laboratories?
What is the role of negative-pressure airflow in biosafety cabinets?
What is the role of negative-pressure airflow in biosafety cabinets?
What type of laboratory work requires the highest level of biosafety containment?
What type of laboratory work requires the highest level of biosafety containment?
What is the primary purpose of working in biological safety level Class II cabinets?
What is the primary purpose of working in biological safety level Class II cabinets?
What characteristic distinguishes biosafety level 4 laboratories from lower biosafety levels?
What characteristic distinguishes biosafety level 4 laboratories from lower biosafety levels?
What must personnel do before leaving the premises of a biosafety level 3 laboratory?
What must personnel do before leaving the premises of a biosafety level 3 laboratory?
What feature is common to both biosafety level 2 and biosafety level 3 laboratories?
What feature is common to both biosafety level 2 and biosafety level 3 laboratories?
What safety feature is implemented in biosafety level 3 laboratories to protect the public?
What safety feature is implemented in biosafety level 3 laboratories to protect the public?
What is the primary purpose of a biosafety laboratory?
What is the primary purpose of a biosafety laboratory?
Which biosafety level indicates laboratories that handle agents not associated with disease in healthy adults?
Which biosafety level indicates laboratories that handle agents not associated with disease in healthy adults?
What distinguishes biosafety level 2 from biosafety level 1 laboratories?
What distinguishes biosafety level 2 from biosafety level 1 laboratories?
Biosafety level 1 laboratories typically require which of the following safety equipment?
Biosafety level 1 laboratories typically require which of the following safety equipment?
How does access to biosafety level 1 laboratories differ from that of higher biosafety levels?
How does access to biosafety level 1 laboratories differ from that of higher biosafety levels?
Which of the following is considered a characteristic of biosafety level 1 laboratories?
Which of the following is considered a characteristic of biosafety level 1 laboratories?
Which biosafety level requires more stringent protocols and training for personnel?
Which biosafety level requires more stringent protocols and training for personnel?
Biosafety laboratories are primarily meant for which of the following activities?
Biosafety laboratories are primarily meant for which of the following activities?
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Study Notes
Biosafety Levels
- Biosafety Level 1 - lowest level of control, used for handling non-pathogenic microorganisms that are unlikely to cause human disease
- Biosafety Level 2 - moderate hazard, designed for working with microorganisms that pose a moderate risk to humans and the environment
- Requires specialized training for personnel
- Procedures involving potential aerosolization of pathogens are conducted in biosafety cabinets or other physical containment equipment
- Biosafety Level 3 - deals with agents that could cause serious disease and are potentially lethal if released by AMB
- Personnel are specially trained to handle these microorganisms
- All procedures are conducted in biosafety cabinets, the laboratory has controlled access, negative airflow, and filtered ventilation
- Class III hoods may be used for specific pathogens
- Biosafety Level 4 - highest level of control, used for handling highly pathogenic organisms that pose a serious risk of life-threatening disease through aerosolization
- Specialized training for personnel is required
- Facilities are 100% isolated from other parts of the building and may even be separated from other buildings
- All work is exclusively confined to Class III biosafety cabinets
Risk Groups
- Risk Groups classify infectious agents or toxins based on their relative hazard in a laboratory setting
- Risk Group 1 - minimal risk
- Examples: Escherichia coli K12, Lactobacillus
- Risk Group 2 - moderate risk
- Examples: Salmonella, Measles virus
- Risk Group 3 - high risk
- Examples: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (cause of tuberculosis)
- Risk Group 4 - very high risk
- Examples: Ebola virus, Lassa fever virus
Biosafety Cabinets
- Biosafety cabinets are specially designed isolation chambers that create a safe environment for handling pathogenic microorganisms
- Two basic types exist for different applications and protection levels:
- Class II (negatively pressurized airflow) - provides protection from infectious bioaerosols within the cabinet
- Class III (total containment) - completely enclosed environment offering the highest level of protection for personnel and the environment
- Class III cabinets are used for working with high-risk pathogens and require air filtration with HEPA filters and may also include biocidal treatment after filtration
- Class III cabinets are integrated with other laboratory equipment (incubators, refrigerators, centrifuges) through airtight seals and connected to autoclaves and dunk tanks for sterilization and disinfection of materials
Additional Information
- Microbiological laboratories are often equipped with centrifuges and vortexes that, if not used properly, can lead to aerosolization of microorganisms.
- Specialized equipment such as Class III biosafety cabinets is essential for handling pathogens safely.
- Risk groups and biosafety levels do not always have a direct correspondence, meaning a Risk Group 3 pathogen might be handled under Biosafety Level 2 conditions depending on a specific research project's risk assessment.
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