Biosafety Levels
Definition:
A biosafety level (BSL) is a set of bio-containment precautions required to isolate
dangerous biological agents in an enclosed laboratory facility.
Biosafety levels:
Biosafety Levels 1-4 are combinations of laboratory practices and techniques, safety
equipment and facilities. All of these levels are appropriate for the biohazard posed by the agents
used in researches and experiments.
Biosafety level 1:
Biosafety level one, the lowest level, applies to work with agents that usually pose a
minimal potential threat to laboratory workers and the environment and do not consistently cause
disease in healthy adults. An example of a microbe that is typically worked with at a BSL-1 is a
nonpathogenic strain of E. coli.
Precautions of biosafety level 1:
1. Normal laboratory personal protective equipment is generally worn, consisting of eye
protection, gloves and a lab coat or gown.
2. Standard microbiological practices also require attention to personal hygiene, i.e., hand
washing and a prohibition on eating, drinking or smoking in the lab.
3. Research with these agents is generally performed on standard open laboratory benches
without the use of special containment equipment.
4. Labs are not usually isolated from the general building.
5. Standard microbiology practices are usually enough for protection such as mechanical
pipetting only (no mouth pipetting allowed), safe sharps handling, avoidance of splashes
or aerosols, and decontamination of all work surfaces when work is complete.
6. Decontamination of spills is done immediately, and all potentially infectious materials are
decontaminated prior to disposal, generally by autoclaving.
Biosafety level 2:
Biosafety level two deals with agents associated with human disease, in other words,
pathogenic or infectious organisms posing a moderate hazard. Example: Dealing with HIV when
performing routine diagnostic procedures or work with clinical specimens.
Precautions of biosafety level 2:
1. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn, including lab coats and
gloves. Eye protection and face shields can also be worn, as needed.
2. Laboratory personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic agents.
3. Access to the laboratory is limited when work is being conducted and the lab has self-
closing, lockable doors.
4. Extreme precautions are taken with contaminated sharp items.
5. Class II biological safety cabinet is highly recommended for work involving these agents.
Biosafety level 3:
BSL-3 is suitable for work with infectious agents which may cause serious or potentially
lethal diseases as a result of exposure by the inhalation route. Example: M. tuberculosis.
Precautions of biosafety level 3:
1. Solid-front wraparound gowns, scrub suits or coveralls are often required.
2. BSL-3 laboratories are located in a unique high containment building that also houses the
BSL-4 laboratory that have a double-door entry.
3. Exhaust air is not recirculated to other rooms.
4. Standard microbiological practices are the same as for BSL-1 and BSL-2 laboratories.
5. Class ΙΙ biological safety cabinets are suitable in BSL-3 laboratories.
6. Additional personnel protective devices may be worn, such as respirators.
Biosafety level 4:
BSL 4 deals with extremely dangerous agents and pose a high risk of life-threatening
disease. Examples are the Ebola virus, the Lassa virus, and any agent with unknown risks of
pathogenicity and transmission.
Precautions of biosafety level 4:
1. To the BSL 3 practices, we add requirements for complete clothing change before entry, a
shower on exit and decontamination of all materials prior to leaving the facility.
2. Personnel must wear appropriate personal protective equipment from prior BSL levels, as
well as a full body, air-supplied, positive pressure suit.
3. The BSL 4 laboratory contains a class III biological safety cabinet.
4. BSL 4 laboratories are in separate buildings or a totally isolated zone with dedicated supply
and exhaust ventilation.
