Biological Safety Cabinets—or BSCs—are unsung heroes of the laboratory. They’re not as exciting as microscopes or centrifuges, but they’re vital components of scientific safety, nonetheless. They play a role in protecting not only laboratory personnel, but also the samples within the lab and the environment overall. But as with any other equipment type, not every biosafety cabinet is created equal; there are types, applications, maintenance practices, and more to take into consideration. In this blog, we want to take a look at all the options so you might be better informed when it’s time to purchase one for your own lab.
Biosafety Cabinet Types
Class I Biological Safety Cabinet
These provide environmental and personnel protection, but be warned that they don’t safeguard their actual contents. The primary role of a Class 1 cabinet is to prevent exposure to hazardous aerosols.
Some common applications include handling of biological materials that post low or moderate risk, procedures that include aerosol-generating processes, and the protection of lab employees working with non-sterile substances.
Class II Biological Safety Cabinet
This is where you’ll find the most variety. A combination of HEPA filtrations and controlled airflow results in the protection of people, the environment, and the product.
- Class II, Type A1: 70% of the air within these cabinets is recirculated, making it suitable for low-risk operations.
- Class II, Type A2: This is similar to A1, the main difference being greater inward air velocity. As a result, it’s much more suitable for handling hazardous agents.
- Class II, Type B1: Type B1 expels 60% of its air, making it a good choice for any work that involves biological hazards and other volatile chemicals.
- Class II, Type B2: This is a fully exhausted system that doesn’t allow any recirculation. It’s highly recommended when dealing with high-risk pathogens and toxic chemicals.
Regardless of subtype, a class II biological safety cabinet is an essential part of microbiology and pharmaceutical labs. It allows for the safe manipulation of infectious agents, cell-culture research, viral studies, and the preparation of sterile products.
Class III Biological Safety Cabinet
If you’re looking for the highest possible level of containment, you should be prioritizing class III cabinets. They operate as fully enclosed units with glove ports, and are meant for handling the most hazardous biological materials—including Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) pathogens.
Typically, class III cabinets are found serving the following industries and areas of research:
- High-containment labs and bioweapons research
- Highly infectious virus studies, such as research into Ebola
- The development of vaccines and biopharmaceutical manufacturing
Common Biological Safety Cabinet Uses
To say these cabinets are important to several fields of research may be an understatement. In many cases, proper research can’t be conducted without them. Their common applications are plenty, but here are the primary uses:
- Infectious agent containment in microbiology and virology
- Drug formulation within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
- Diagnostic procedures in clinical and hospital laboratories
- COVID-19 testing and research
Maintenance and Best Practices
With so many substances being handled within these cabinets, a bit of maintenance is to be expected. Here’s a short rundown of the bases you should be covering.
Regular Cleaning and Decontamination
Make sure you’re cleaning every surface with the appropriate disinfectants, such as 70% ethanol and bleach solutions. Do this before and after use. When cleaning is complete, autoclave or safely dispose of any contaminated waste materials.
Importance of Annual Certification
To ensure that your biosafety cabinet meets all industry standards (and functions properly), an annual certification is necessary. The tests involved in this certification include airflow validations, containment efficiency, and HEPA filter integrity checks.
Proper Airflow Management
When choosing a spot for your cabinet, ensure you allow plenty of space near the airflow grills to maintain circulation. In addition, train all personnel to follow proper hand and arm movement techniques to prevent turbulence.
Common Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re experiencing issues with your biosafety cabinet, here are some troubleshooting tips we suggest:
- Low Airflow Alarms: Ensure no filters are clogged and inspect the blower motor.
- HEPA Filter Saturation: Stick to a timely schedule of filter replacements for optimal airflow. Manufacturer guidelines should detail how frequently filters need to be changed.
- Inconsistent Air Velocity: Minimize external airflow disturbances (like HVAC changes).
Choosing the Right Biosafety Cabinet for Your Needs
Before you make a final decision on which cabinet to purchase, you should carefully consider your research needs.
- Work Type: Do you require protection for your people, the environment, your product, or a combination of the three?
- Containment Level: It’s vital to get a biological safety cabinet that can handle the biosafety level (BSL-1 to BSL-4) of the substances you’ll be working with.
- Lab Space and Configuration: Make sure you have enough space in your laboratory for the cabinet to have a permanent placement.
- Regulatory Compliance: Make sure you adhere to standards set by OSHA, CDC, and NSF.
A Laboratory Necessity
The biosafety cabinet is an essential tool for any laboratory researching hazardous biological agents. By familiarizing yourself with different cabinet types, biosafety levels, and maintenance requirements, you can make an informed purchase for your lab’s needs. Whether you’re in the market for biosafety cabinets or you have some you need to sell, get in touch with us at BaneBio—the Scientific Supermarket.