What is a Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory?
The Centers for Disease Control specifies four levels of increasing containment for research on infectious diseases. These are generally termed Biosafety or BSL Levels 1 through 4. While much of the infectious diseases research is done in laboratories with BSL-2 and BSL-3 capabilities, BSL-4 laboratories are needed for research on infectious diseases that are usually life threatening. BSL-4 laboratories are designed to protect researchers and have special engineering and design features to prevent microorganisms from being disseminated into the environment. Researchers who use a BSL-4 laboratory have extensive training in handling hazardous infectious agents. Access to the BSL-4 laboratories is strictly controlled.
Related Questions
- In a Biosafety Level 1 (BL1) laboratory, does every piece of equipment that is potentially contaminated with biological material need to have a biohazard sticker?
- What should I do if I spill a small amount of biological material in a Biosafety Level 1 or Biosafety Level 2 laboratory?
- What is a Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory?
