In laboratories and specific educational setups, dealing with hazardous
microorganism and pathogens becomes necessary. So, adopting safety measures and
devices to contain contamination becomesmandatory. This is where Biosafety Cabinets come into the picture.
The units are used extensively in such setups to minimize risk of infection.
They are available in various types nowadays.
In several clinical and
educational setups, students, professors and scientists need to deal with potentially
hazardous microorganisms. These include various types of bacteria, viruses and
pathogens. It becomes necessary to deal with these hazards for teaching,
demonstration, scientific research etc. To ensure the microorganisms do not get
spread though air or other means, specific devices have to be used. That is why
doctors, researchers and staffs in similar setups make use of Biosafety Cabinets. They came into
vogue in the 1950s.
The
ideal way to keep bio hazards contained
Biohazards need to be
contained properly, whether it is in laboratory of a college or a clinical research institute. The usage of Biosafety Cabinets has become popular
in these setups over the years. When apt precautions are taken and safety
measures are adopted, these cabinets play a pivotal role in keeping biohazard
contained. Generally, these cabinets are equipped with HEPA filters which are
also fitted in Fume hoods. These
cabinets are also used to keep contents sterilized.
The
available options
There are broadly 3
kinds of Biosafety Cabinets and each offers a specific level of
protection against biological hazards. The main purpose of using these units is
safeguarding laboratory workers as
well as the environment from hazardous biological organisms. The air within these
cabinets is made to go through a HEPA filter when exiting and thus
microorganisms are removed. However, these devices are not the same as laminar flow clean benches.
Fume hoods cannot
offer the environmental protection
offered by a top notch cabinet.
The
CDC has segregated these cabinets
into 3 main types.
Class I cabinets give environmental and personnel protection
but they should not be used for product protection. These devices are mostly
linked to the building’s exhaust system.
In Class II cabinets, both the environment and contents can
be safeguarded against pathogens. There are 4 sub segments- A1, B1, A2 and B2.
Each type is made to comply with NSF global standards. In these cabinets, a top
mounted fan draws sterile air atop the products. The air is then made to pass
through the work surface. Then it passes through top mounted HEPA filters.
Class III cabinets are used largely in laboratories dealing
with highly contagious bio hazards. The enclosure is mostly gas-tight and
materials are entered by a double-door autoclave or dunk tank.
Buying the right device
Buying the right type
of Fume hoods
and cabinets to contain microorganism may not be an easy task. You have to
think of aspects like work needs, ergonomics and available space at your setup.
Modern cabinets also have noise reduction mechanisms deployed.
There are quite a few
companies that manufacture such products and sell them online. If you want a reliable
solution, try the products from MoonMed see website at: www.moonmed.com.
