HOW BIOSAFETY CABINET WORKS IN LAB

1. HOW BIOSAFETY CABINET WORKS IN LAB A biosafety cabinet is a primary containment device used with bacterial material. As with work on open bench tops work performed within a BSC be performed carefully and safely. When a BSC is serviced or relocated including replacement of HEPA filters it must be gas decontaminated which involves filling the BSC with a poisonous gas. When this BSC is serviced including replacement of HEPA filters it must be gas decontaminated which involves filling the BSC with a poisonous gas, most commonly formaldehyde gas. Several different types of BSC are available and these are differentiating by the degree of biocontainment requirement. The primary purpose of a BSC is to serve as means to protect the laboratory worker and the surrounding environment from pathogens. All the exhaust air is HEPA filtered as it exists the biosafety cabinet removing viruses and bacteria. Apart from these there have some secondary purposes to maintain the sterility of materials inside. When this BSC is serviced including replacement of HEPA filters it must be gas decontaminated which involves filling the BSC with a poisonous gas, most commonly formaldehyde gas. Biological safety cabinets or BCS are used to provide both the clean work environment and protection for employees who can create aerosols when working with biological hazards. BCS cannot be used for working with volatile chemicals or radioactive materials. Try to install BSC s to allow access to their supply and exhaust filters for annual certification testing and HEPA filter changes. The top of the cabinet must be at least 18’ below the ceiling to field test exhaust flow according to NSF standard 49. There have some different using procedures of these Biological Safety Cabinets in lab like- These are as same as like operating procedures of biosafety cabinets in lab- First of all lift the sash to the recommended height. Turn on the BSC fan 10 minutes before beginning the work. After that check the air intake and exhaust grilles for obstructions and check the pressure gauge reading indicating HEPA filter load. Then if the cabinet is equipped with an alarm, test the alarm and switch it to the ON position. Later on confirm inward airflow by holding a piece of tissue at the middle of the edge of the viewing panel and ensuring it is drawn in. Waste containers and suction collection flasks should be placed to one side of the interior of the cabinet. Keep the work area of this BSC very free of unnecessary equipment Always wear the eye protection, closed toe shoes, a lab coat and gloves that is why you will be safe while working in the lab. Active work should flow from clean to contaminated areas across the work surface.

2. Try to use the mechanical pipetting aids, make sure that mouth pipetting is not allowed. Another one thing is that does not work in a BSC while a warning light or alarm is signaling. Locate the liquid waste traps inside the cabinet and use an in line HEPA filter to protect the vacuum line and if traps must be located on the floor place them in a secondary container such as in a box or in a durable plastic tray to prevent breakage. Just to sterilize the bacteriological loops, micro burners are used.  Last but not the least that works as far to the back as possible but within the comfortable reach.