What does BSL-3 mean?

Biosafety Level 3
Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)​ BSL-3 laboratories are used to study infectious agents or toxins that may be transmitted through the air and cause potentially lethal infections. Researchers perform all experiments in a biosafety cabinet. BSL-3 laboratories are designed to be easily decontaminated.

What is the difference between a BSL-2 and BSL-3 organism?

BSL-3 builds upon the containment requirements of BSL-2. If you work in a lab that is designated BSL-3, the microbes there can be either indigenous or exotic, and they can cause serious or potentially lethal disease through respiratory transmission. Respiratory transmission is the inhalation route of exposure.

What do the BSL levels mean?

Biosafety levels (BSL) are used to identify the protective measures needed in a laboratory setting to protect workers, the environment, and the public. The levels are defined in Biosafety in Biomedical Laboratories (the BMBL).

What diseases are studied in a BSL-3 lab?

This facility allows our researchers to work on microbes and infectious agents that can cause serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation, such as yellow fever, West Nile virus, chikungunya, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.

What is a bs3 lab?

Biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) is applicable to clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research, or production facilities where work is performed with agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation, to the personnel, and may contaminate the environment.

What biosafety level is pneumonia?

Examples of BSL-2 organisms are: Mycobacterium, Streptococcus pneumonia, Salmonella choleraesuis. BSL-3 risk group contains biological agents that usually cause serious disease (human, animal or plant) or that can result in serious economic consequences. These agents are usually not spread by casual contact.

How do you handle infectious materials?

Wash hands frequently and thoroughly any time you work with these materials or potentially infected items. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth. Sanitize contaminated areas. Report any incidents or exposure to the infection control specialist or other designated person at your workplace.

What does BSL-2 mean?

Biosafety Level 2
Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) is suitable for experiments involving agents of moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment. For example: Microorganisms of low biohazard potential, such as those in Risk Group 2 or BSL-2.

What is a Level 4 lab?

Biosafety level 4 laboratories are used for diagnostic work and research on easily transmitted pathogens which can cause fatal disease. These include a number of viruses known to cause viral hemorrhagic fever such as Marburg virus, Ebola virus, Lassa virus, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

What is containment biosafety?

Containment is the term used to describe methods, practices, procedures, facilities, and equipment used to safely manage biohazardous materials in the laboratory. The purpose of containment is to reduce or eliminate exposure to people or the environment to potentially hazardous agents.

What is BSL level 3 and who is it for?

BSL Level 3 meets the learning needs of those who already have competence in BSL Level 2 and are interested in developing their skills and knowledge. Successful learners must be able to demonstrate competence at Level 3 of the UK Occupational Language Standards ( Instructus 2012).

What does BSL 2 mean on a lab report?

BSL-2: This level covers laboratories that work with moderately hazardous agents and organisms that cause mild disease. Protection in these environments will include PPE with face shields, the use of biological safety cabinets (BSC) and personnel will be trained to handle hazardous materials.

What does the acronym BSL actually mean?

You may have come across this acronym before when looking at laboratories and cleanrooms but what do they actually mean? Biosafety Level or BSL is a set of biocontainment precautions required to isolate hazardous biological agents in an enclosed manufacturing or research laboratory.

What are the requirements for a BSL 3 lab?

Common requirements in a BSL-3 laboratory include: Standard personal protective equipment must be worn, and respirators might be required. Solid-front wraparound gowns, scrub suits or coveralls are often required. All work with microbes must be performed within an appropriate BSC.