Safety factors while using Biological Safety Cabinet

 

Biosafety Cabinet is one of the most important pieces of equipment for laboratories. We are sharing some useful points that will help you understand the safety essentials while using the Biosafety Cabinet. It is used in various ways; let’s understand the basic importance, benefits, and uses of Biosafety Cabinets.

The main engineering measure protecting users, samples, and the environment against biohazards is called the biological safety cabinet. The airflow of a biosafety cabinet is comprised of an inflow barrier that prevents the unintentional escape of biohazards from the cabinet's working area. Additionally, it contains a downflow air system that purges pollutants from the workspace, creating a sterile environment for the samples.

The following factors should be taken into consideration when choosing a BSC: the nature of the job, the categorization of biohazards , the need to protect employees from radioactive exposure, the presence of volatile hazardous compounds, or a combination of these factors. The recommended BSCs for each form of protection are shown in the table below.

Things to avoid when using a BSC

• Avoid relying on UV light; it just illuminates surfaces, not what is underneath them. The germicidal properties of the bulb become coated with dust and other things, and they last far longer than the blue light. Weekly dusting and yearly bulb replacement are required. UV can be used in addition to excellent chemical disinfection, although the latter is far more dependable.
• Avoid blocking the grills or clogging the BSC. Blocking the front or back perforated grill or clogging your workspace has a detrimental impact on airflow and aerosol containment.
• Use a drizzle bottle to administer disinfectants like bleach instead of spraying them on. To protect the internal components of the BSC against rust and damage, follow with an ethanol rinse.
• As BSCs are made to function at a predetermined sash height, do not raise the sash (this is very different from a chemical fume hood).
• Use of Bunsen Burners within the BSC is not recommended since they increase the risk of fire, explosion, and air turbulence. There are several safer substitutes, such as the Bacticinerator, the Flame Boy, and others (contact EHS).
• Use of volatile or combustible chemicals is not advised since BSCs are not made to filter or confine chemicals so that they can return to the room. They may flow back into the room and be inhaled by you and your coworkers. When concentrated inside the BSC, volatile or flammable compounds run the risk of igniting upon coming into touch with electrical components.

Uses of Biosafety Cabinet

Biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, viral vectors, fungi, parasites, human/animal tissue, and cell lines, and prions can all be safely stored in biosafety cabinets. They must not be utilized with:

• Large amounts of volatile or toxic chemicals
• Volatile radionuclides
• Concentrated flammable chemicals
• Open flames

If you want to learn everything there is to know about a Biosafety Cabinet, get in touch with IGene Labserve by going to https://www.igenels.com/   or call 09310696848 to talk to an expert.