Question

What are the different biosafety levels?

Answer 1

Biosafety levels:

1. These are a set of guidelines that are given to identify the protective measures required in the laboratory in order to protect the environment, the public, and the protected workers.
2. There are 4 different containment levels ranging from 1 to 4 with higher precautionary measures as it increases.

Biosafety Level 1:

1. This applies to laboratories that operate with extremely low-risk microorganisms that do not infect adults. E.coli is one such non-infectious strain.
2. In these laboratories, constant cleaning of surfaces using the basic disinfectants has to be employed in the lab.

Biosafety level 2:

1. This standard is used in laboratories that operate with moderately pathogenic organisms. HIV and the encephalitis virus are among the agents used in biosafety level 2.
2. Depending on the biological risk assessment, labs must additionally have access to equipment to disinfect the laboratory waste, such as an incinerator, or an autoclave.

Biosafety level 3:

1. Pathogens that might cause major health problems are dealt with at this level.
2. More advanced disinfectant techniques are to be used to disinfect the microbes.

Biosafety level 4:

1. The biosafety level 4 laboratory deals with the pathogens Ebola and Marburg virus, both of which are typically lethal and for which there is no therapy or vaccination.
2. Labs that are dealing with harmful viruses require special training and practices to control the research.
3. Research personnel are required to wear personal protection equipment kits to prevent contracting the infection.