LAB BIOSAFETY LEVEL CRITERIA Biosafety level mean the

LAB BIOSAFETY LEVEL CRITERIA • Biosafety level mean the containment level to manage the handling of infectious material in the lab so that they are not expose to human being • Containment level ranges from lowest level to the highest levels • It is characterized into four groups • BIOSAFETY LEVEL-I (BSL-I) • BIOSAFETY LEVLE-2 (BSL-2) • BIOSAFETY LEVLE-3 (BSL-3) • BIOSAFETY LEVLE-4 (BSL-4)

HISTORY OF BIOSAFETY LEVELS • These criteria were specified in USA by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • Same criteria was followed by European union but they were defined as directives • To maintain the biosafety level Hobert in 1943 design biosafety cabinet • In 1955 biological warfare labs were established • 1984 American biological safety association was developed in the same years it laws were designed and approved • In year 2000 almost 1600 people join this association to look at the biosafety levels

CONTAINMENT ZONE • Different biosafety level required containment zones • Chemical fume hood is required for isolation, identification and characterization of microorganisms • At biosafety level-4 we required special fashion design that could be according to the • Building system • Sealed rooms • Sealed containers and • Personnel suits

PROCEDURE • It is very necessary elaborate the description even regarding • Entering the room • Decontamination procedures for leaving the room • High security • Such containment zones are also known as hot zones

BIOSAFETY LEVEL 1 • Biosafety level includes those agent which are not known consistently to cause disease in immune competent humans • So they cause minimum potential hazard • To environment • To the persons working in the labs • To the community • So there are less chance of hazards in the lab • No specific containment equipment is required • No biosafety cabinet is required • Experiments can be performed simply on bench, stylized with 70% alcohol

RULES FOR WORKING IN LABS • All the workers must be trained, they must know how to handle biological specimens and different procedures to perform experimentation • Principle investigator/ supervisor must ensure enforcement of institutional polices in the lab • Workers must wash their hands before and after the performance of procedures • According to WHO eating, drinking, smoking even Applying cosmetics are not allowed in the lab

Rules For Working In Biosafety Level 1 Lab • According to WHO mouth pipetting is strictly prohibited so it better to use bulb to draw chemicals • Polices for handling sharps are also recommended • Broken glass, needles etc should be dispose off in the sharp box • Procedures to minimize aerosols and splashes to should be followed • It very necessary to decontaminated the work place before and after finishing the work • If you were using an equipment then decontaminate it too

• If you are working with micro organism and have used culture to get population it is very necessary to disposed off those culture with great care by following steps • Decontaminate the cultures, chemicals • Biohazard symbols should be place every where in the lab where • Ever hazard material is placed • Even on the lab door mentioned the biohazard symbol • Pest management programs should be there • Safety equipment need by all labs is • Gloves, Lab coat, Protective eye covers

LABORATORY FACILITIES • Lab door must access control • Deep sink for hand washing • Bench tops should be made of such a material which are resistant to chemicals, organic/inorganic solvents • Chair should be made of such material which can be easily disinfect • Lab window should open externally and fitted with screw

LAB BIOSAFETY LEVEL-2 • It contain moderate hazards to personnel and environment • Microbiological practices are the same as in BSL-1 • Door must be closed when work is going on • Smoking, drinking, eating is not allowed • Mouth pipetting is prohibited • Infectious material should be dispose off properly • Broken glass and needles should be disposed off in sharp box • Workers of BSL-2 should have proper training for handling the infectious material • Special equipment and procedure are required in this lab too

SPECIAL PRACTICES FOR BSL-2 • Door must be closed • It must be double door to meet entry and exit requirement • People entering the lab must aware of infectious agent • Workers of this lab must be immunize for infectious diseases • Biosafety manual should be available int labs • For collection of the infectious material special care should be taken • It must be collected in durable leak proof containers.

SPECIAL PRACTICES FOR BSL-2 • There must be proper handling and processing of the material as well • Storage must be done at the specific temperature • For transportation of the material from place of collection to the diagnostic lab preservative to maintain the composition of sample must be used • Lab equipment must be decontaminated not only after the procedure but when if the equipment has to removed from the lab for repair or maintenance

SPECIAL PRACTICES FOR BSL-2 • If any incident take place inform the biosafety officer so that he can improve biosafety level • Face, eyes and hand should be protected • Animal and plants, children even the old people • Biosafety cabinet is required to avoid the aerosol generation