Safety Cabinets

Description

Biological Safety Cabinets (also known as Microbiological Safety Cabinets) are laboratory ventilated enclosures designed to protect users and the environment when working with biological agents, including pathogenic microorganisms, genetically modified organisms, cell cultures, and human or animal tissues and fluids. These cabinets provide protection against aerosols generated during the handling of potentially hazardous microorganisms, with discharged air being filtered before it is released into the atmosphere. Biological Safety Cabinets come in several classes:

• Class I Cabinets: Offer operator and environmental protection but do not protect the product. They are open-fronted units that continuously draw air into the cabinet and filter it through a HEPA filter. Suitable for use with hazard group 1, 2, or 3 organisms, subject to risk assessment.
• Class II Cabinets: The most commonly used type, these cabinets protect the working area from external contamination while also safeguarding the operator. Incoming air is directed downward, filtered through HEPA, and then redirected back into the work area as a laminar flow of clean air.
• Class III Cabinets: Fully enclosed units where operations are conducted through gloves attached to glove ports. Air enters and leaves the cabinet through HEPA filters, offering maximum protection for both the operator and the product, suitable for work with all hazard group organisms, including group 4.