Types of Biological Safety Cabinets

Laboratories need appropriate storage space for chemicals and specimens.

Biological safety cabinets are a necessity in laboratories where work is done with a variety of specimens in their experiments for their capability to provide protection from exposure and contamination.

Function

When used in laboratories, these cabinets have three primary functions: protection for the individual from the dangerous specimens stored inside, prevent cross-contamination of specimens during work and keep the environment from contamination from the specimens.

Class I Cabinets

These cabinets protect the person and the environment from contamination. The specimens are not protected from cross-contamination. Air is moved constantly into the cabinet through a HEPTA filter, away from the people, and cleans it before sending it out into the room. They are for "low to moderate risk biological elements".

Class II Cabinets

This cabinet is also for "low to moderate risk biological agents" and protects people, the specimens and the area it is located in. It has three important features: front opening with a constant inward flow of air, one way airflow within the work area that is HEPA-filtered and an exhaust system that is also HEPA-filtered or one that is an exhaust to a facility.

Class III

This type of biological cabinet handles high risk biological agents. These give maximum protection for the individual, the environment and the specimens. They are designed to be in environments where diseases are studied, highly infectious materials and related hazardous situations. These are built to the specific needs of the customer

Significance

These cabinets are an essential part of any laboratory that deals with dangerous chemicals, specimens or other infectious materials. Without them, the environment, and the specimens are opened to a variety of hazards.

References

• Introduction to Biological Safety Cabinets