Biosafety Levels

By: Junia Lee

LEVEL1

Description
The first level has no containment. The organisms examined are defined and they don't
cause harm to humans.
The setting or labratory of this typical level isnt specified to any specific area or place. It
can be done outside, inside, and without particular types of equipments.
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Microorganisms
Biosafety level 1 applies to working with low-risk microbes that has little to no threat of
infecting in healthy adults.
Example:
a nonpathogenic strain of E. coli
B. Subtilis
S. Cerevisiae

Mechanical pipetting only (no mouth pipetting

allowed)
Safe sharps handling
Avoidance of splashes or aerosols
Daily decontamination of all work surfaces when
work is complete
Hand washing
Prohibition of food, drink and smoking materials
in lab setting
Personal protective equipment, such as; eye
protection, gloves and a lab coat or gown
Immediate decontamination after spills.
Infection materials are also decontaminated
prior to disposal, generally through the use of an
autoclave.

Special
Practices

Safety
Precautions
- Bench-top sink for hand washing
- Biohazard signs
- Following of standard lab procedure and care
- Making sure people entering have enough training
to handle the equipment

Lab Equipment
Safety Glasses - protects your eyes
Gloves
Lab Coats
Sinks and washing areas

LEVEL2

Description
Level 2 laboratories have the same standard practices as Level 1 labs, but also magnifies
the capacities of the potential risks of the preceding microbes.
When working in these labs, you are expected to take even greater care to prevent injuries
such as cuts and other exposures of the skin, such as ingestion and mucous membrane
exposures.
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Microorganisms
This level works with agents associated with human diseases, known as pathogenic or
infectious organisms, that imply a moderate health hazard.
Examples:
Equine Encephalitis Viruses
HIV
Staphylococcus aureus

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

must be worn, including lab coats and gloves. Eye
protection and face shields can also be worn, as
needed.
All procedures that can cause infection from aerosols
or splashes are performed within a biological safety
cabinet (BSC).
An autoclave or an alternative method of
decontamination is available for proper disposals.
The laboratory has self-closing, lockable doors.
A sink and eyewash station should be readily
available.
Biohazard warning signs
Outside personnel, or those with an increased risk of
contamination, are often restricted from entering
when work is being conducted.

Special
Practices

Safety
Precautions
- Bio-Safety hazard signs are inserted
- Warnings for sharp objects that could cut working
persons and put them at risk for infection
- Surveillance for waste disposals

Lab Equipment
Biological Safety Cabinet - contains aerosols and equipment
useful in hazardous areas
Safety Goggles - prevents things from getting into the eyes
Face Protection - in case something splatters onto your face
Gloves
Lab Coats (heavier and thicker than the regular ones)

LEVEL3

Description
The level 3 of biosafety is more dangerous and more threatening than the first two levels.
This level works with microbes for uncommon and the results reach are starting to reach a
point of no cure.
The microbes are so serious that the work is often strictly controlled and registered with the
appropriate government agencies. Laboratory personnel are also under medical
surveillance and could receive immunizations for microbes they work with.
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Microorganisms
Building on the two biosafety levels prior to this level, a biosafety level 3 laboratory usually
works on microbes that are indigenous or exotic. They can cause serious or potentially
lethal diseases just by breathing it in.
Examples:
Yellow Fever
West Nile Virus
the bacteria that causes Tuberculosis.

Standard personal protective equipment

must be worn, and respirators might be
required
Solid-front wraparound gowns, scrub suits
or coveralls are often required
All work with microbes must be performed
within an appropriate BSC
Access hands-free sink and eyewash are
available near the exit
Sustained directional airflow to draw air into
the laboratory from clean areas towards
potentially contaminated areas (Exhaust air
cannot be re-circulated)
A self closing set of locking doors with
access away from general building corridors
Access to a BSL-3 laboratory is restricted
and controlled at all times.

Special
Practices

Safety
Precautions
- Extremely detailed procedures on how to execute
labs in the area
- Surveillance for waste disposal
- Increasingly limited access into the area

Lab Equipment
Respiratory Protection - prevents the inhalation of airborne
pathogens
Gloves
Safety Goggles
Thicker and more protective
Face Protection
Biological Safety Cabinet - Contains aerosols and
equipment needed in a hazardous environment
Space Suits - covers the whole body

LEVEL4

Description
Biosafety Level 4 labs are very uncommon. They exist in small numbers around the world.
This level works with the most dangerous microbes and requires extreme cautions.
A laboratory of biosafety level 4 is extremely isolated and often located in a separate
building or a separate zone of the building. The laboratory also has a great amount of
supplies, exhaust air, vacuum lines, and decontamination systems.
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Microorganisms
As the highest level of biological safety, a level 4 lab works with the most highly dangerous
and abnormal microbes. The results of being infected by these microbes are fatal, and
come without treatment or vaccines.
Examples:
Ebola
Marburg viruses
Lassa Virus/Fever

Personnel are required to change clothing

before entering, shower upon exiting
Decontamination of all materials before
exiting
Personnel must wear appropriate personal
protective equipment from prior levels, as
well as a full body, air-supplied, positive
pressure suit

Special
Practices

Safety
Precautions
- Extensive decontamination showers
- Burning of any outer clothing that might have come
in contact with the hot agent
- Chemical showers for paper and documents that
mightve been in the hot zone with the scientist
- All other levels precautions to an extreme measure

Lab Equipment
Space Suits - covers the whole body
Gloves
Tape - makes sure that there are no exposed skin
Blunt tools - so that there are no possible ways of getting
cut
Multiple layers of clothing
Bleach hand washing stations - gets rid of agents

Work Cited
"Biosafety Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4 | What's The Difference?" Consolidated Sterilizer Systems. N.p., 22
Feb. 2016. Web. 19 Nov. 2016. <https://consteril.com/biosafety-levels-difference/>.