Biosafety
Level 1 (BSL-1) is suitable for work involving agents of unknown
or minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment.
The laboratory is not separated from the general traffic patterns
in the building. Work is generally conducted on open bench tops.
Special containment equipment is not required or generally used.
Laboratory personnel have specific training in the procedures
conducted in the laboratory and are supervised by a scientist
with general training in microbiology or a related science (see
Appendix
G-III-B, Footnotes and References of Appendix G). (NIH Guidelines,
Appendix
G-III-M)
Biosafety
Level 2 is similar to Level 1 and is suitable for work involving
agents of moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment.
It differs in that: (1) laboratory personnel have specific training
in handling pathogenic agents and are directed by competent scientists;
(2) access to the laboratory is limited when work is being conducted;
and (3) certain procedures in which infectious aerosols are created
are conducted in biological safety cabinets or other physical
containment equipment (see Appendix
G-III-B, Footnotes and References of Appendix G). (NIH Guidelines,
Appendix
G-III-N)
Biosafety
Level 3 is applicable to clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research,
or production facilities in which work is conducted with indigenous
or exotic agents which may cause serious or potentially lethal
disease as a result of exposure by the inhalation route. Laboratory
personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic and potentially
lethal agents and are supervised by competent scientists who are
experienced in working with these agents. All procedures involving
the manipulation of infectious material are conducted within biological
safety cabinets or other physical containment devices or by personnel
wearing appropriate personal protective clothing and devices.
The laboratory has special engineering and designfeatures. It
is recognized, however, that many existing facilities may not
have all the facility safeguards recommended for BL3 (e.g., access
zone, sealed penetrations, and directional airflow, etc.). In
these circumstances, acceptable safety may be achieved for routine
or repetitive operations (e.g., diagnostic procedures involving
the propagation of an agent for identification, typing, and susceptibility
testing) in laboratories where facility features satisfy BL2 recommendations
provided the recommended "Standard Microbiological Practices,"
"Special Practices," and "Containment Equipment"
for BL3 are rigorously ollowed.
The decision to implement this modification of BL3 recommendations
should be made only by the Principal Investigator. (NIH Guidelines,
Appendix
G-III-P)
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