Biological laboratories are categorized by their level of hazard as Biosafety Level (BSL) 1-4. As the degree of protection and risk for personnel and the environment of the lab increases, the levels of BSL are designated in ascending order. Currently, our campus is composed of only of BSL-1 & 2 laboratories. The BSL chart shows how a particular laboratory will be rated depending on the nature of the laboratory. Most laboratories at CSUSM are BSL-1.
Summary of recommended BioSafety levels for infectious agents.
Agents | Practices | Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers) | Facilities (Secondary Barriers) |
---|---|---|---|
Not known to cause disease in healthy adults. | Standard Microbiological Practices | None required |
Open bench top Sink required |
Agents | Practices | Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers) | Facilities (Secondary Barriers) |
---|---|---|---|
Associated with human disease,hazard = auto‑ inoculation, ingestion, mucous membrane exposure |
BSL‑1 practice plus:
|
Primary barriers = Class I or 11 BSCs or other physical containment devices used for all manipulations of agents that cause infectious materials PPEs: laboratory coats; gloves; face protection as needed | BSL‑1 plus: Autoclave available |
Agents | Practices | Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers) | Facilities (Secondary Barriers) |
---|---|---|---|
Indigenous or exotic agents with potential for aerosol transmission; disease may have serious or lethal consequences |
BSL‑2 practice plus:
|
Primary barriers = Class I or II BSCs or other physical containment devices used for all manipulations of agents; PPEs: protective lab clothing; gloves respiratory protection as needed | BSL‑1 plus: Autoclave available |
Agents | Practices | Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers) | Facilities (Secondary Barriers) |
---|---|---|---|
Dangerous/exotic agents which pose high risk of life threatening disease, aerosol‑ transmitted lab injections; or related agents with unknown risk of transmission |
BSL‑3 practices plus:
|
Primary barriers = All procedures conducted in Class III BSCs or Class I or II BSCs in combination with full-body, air-supplied, positive pressure personnel suit |
BSL‑3 plus:
|