Biosafety Level 1 & 2 (BSL-1 & 2)
BSL-1 is used is used for agents not known to consistently cause diseases in Healthy Adults. The BSL is normally used as secondary containment, so the requirements for a BSL 1, are very minimal, and are typically a controlled area.
BSL-2 is used for agents associated with human disease,; routes of transmission include percutaneous injury, ingestion, mucous membrane exposure.
Normal Requirements are:
- Primary Containment is a Class I or Class II Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) located away from doors and airflow disruptions
- Self Closing and locking doors
- Sink for hand washing with an Eyewash Station
- The availability of an Autoclave within the facility.
BSL-2 Enhanced or BSL-2+
BSC 2+ is a hybrid between BSL 2 & 3. Although it is not officially recognized it is a step up in containment from a 2. A BSL 3 use 100% Make Up Air and Exhaust Air increasing the operational costs significantly.
In the facilities we have constructed, we typically use HEPA Filtration on both the Supply Air and the Return Air, and calculate a safe amount of Fresh Make Up Air depending on the Exhaust Requirements after a risk analysis.
We typically would also have: Primary Containment is a Class II BSC Visual Directional Airflow Indicator, validating inward directional airflow.
Surfaces must be easily cleaned and decontaminated Access to lab through two Self Closing & Locking Doors (Airlock) Validated means of Decontamination
BSL 3
At BSL-3 we are working with indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation route of exposure
Adding to the secondary containment requirements for a BSL-2;
- Primary Containment is a Class II or III BSC
- Visual Directional Airflow Indicator
- Hand washing sink in each zone.
- Inward Directional Airflow
- Access to lab through two Self Closing & Locking Doors (Airlock)
- Validated means of Decontamination
- 100% Exhaust and Fresh Air Supply
