A bio-safety cabinet, also known as a biological safety cabinet or biosafety hood, is laboratory equipment designed to provide a safe work environment for researchers who handle infectious agents, pathogens, or other hazardous materials. It is designed to protect the user, the laboratory environment, and the materials being handled from contamination.
Bio-safety cabinets are typically classified into three types based on their level of protection - Class I, Class II, and Class III. Class I biosafety cabinets provide protection to the user and environment but do not protect the materials being handled. Class II biosafety cabinets provide protection to the user, environment, and materials being handled, and are further classified into Type A1, A2, B1, and B2 based on the airflow pattern and exhaust system. Class III biosafety cabinets provide the highest level of protection and are used for handling highly infectious or hazardous materials.
Bio-safety cabinets use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to filter the incoming air and exhaust air, ensuring that the environment remains clean and safe. The cabinets also feature ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lights to kill any bacteria or viruses that may be present.
Bio-safety cabinets are an essential piece of equipment in any laboratory that deals with infectious or hazardous materials. They provide a safe working environment for researchers and prevent the accidental release of these materials into the environment.