What is the difference between a Regional and a National Biocontainment Laboratory?
A Regional Biocontainment Laboratory typically serves a part of the country (one of the ten federally-designated “regions” of the country) and is limited by design, construction and federal certification to handling agents that require “Biosafety Level 3” (BSL-3) safety and security standards. The National Institutes of Health’s NIAID is funding thirteen RBLs. A National Biocontainment Laboratory (NBL) serves the entire country and is equipped to handle more dangerous infectious agents requiring “Biosafety Level 4” (BSL-4) facility standards. NBLs are substantially more costly and complex than RBLs. The NIH has committed to funding two NBLs. BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 are designations of hazard control requirements that correspond to the characteristics of pathogens, such as the severity of the disease they cause, the route of infection (airborne or not) and the availability of preventive vaccines and effective medical treatments. BSL-1 requires the least hazard control and BSL-4 th
Related Questions
- What is the difference between the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS), a National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) and a Regional Programme for Food Security (RPFS)?
- What is the difference between a regional associate membership and a national associate membership?
- What is the difference between a Regional and a National Biocontainment Laboratory?
