Classes of biosafety cabinets

 

There are three classes or categories of biosafety cabinets that everyone should know. Each type is described in this article - how each one will work and what suitable environment are they used. Martin Lloyd Sanders has compiled them below to provide information to those whose line of work involves the use of these specialized ventilating equipment.

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Class 1

It is a ventilated cabinet for the protection of personnel and their working environment. They have limited application, however. Nevertheless, a Class 1 biosafety cabinet uses a HEPA filter at the exhaust outlet and uses unreciculated airflow away from the operator. These types of cabinets are suitable for agents requiring Biosafety Level 1, 2, or 3 containment.

Class 2

Class 2 cabinets offer personnel, environment, and product protection, often used in microbiological work or sterile pharmacy compounding. These cabinets are designed with an open front with three adjustments for each category: inward airflow for personnel protection, downward HEPA-filtered laminar airflow for product protection, and HEPA-filtered exhaust air for environmental protection.

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Class 3

These are highly specialized biosafety cabinets also called "glove boxes." It protects similarly with a Class 2 cabinet but is designed for working with Biosafety Level 4 highly infectious agents. This type of cabinet provides the highest level of protection for personnel, product, and the environment. These cabinets are totally enclosed, have leak-tight construction, and attached rubber gloves to enable personnel to work on something inside the cabinet.

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., has more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which even includes biological safety, biosecurity, infectious disease epidemiology, environmental health services, among others. He also received his certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. For more posts like this, visit this blog.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.