BMBL - Table 1

TABLE 1 Summary of Recommended Biosafety Levels for Infectious Agents

Biosafety Level Agents Practices Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers) Facilities (Secondary Barriers)
1 Not known to cause
disease in healthy adults. Standard Microbiological
Practices. None required. Open bench top sink required.
2 Associated with human
disease, hazard = auto- inoculation, ingestion, mucous membrane exposure. BSL-1 practice plus:

Limited access;

Biohazard warning signs;

"Sharps" precautions;

Biosafety manual defining any needed waste decontamination or medical surveillance policies.
Primary barriers = Class I or II BSCs or other physical containment devices used for all manipulations of agents that cause splashes or aerosols of infectious materials; PPEs: laboratory coats; gloves; face protection as needed. BSL-1 plus: Autoclave available.
3 Indigenous or exotic agents with potential for aerosol transmission; disease may have serious or lethal consequences. BSL-2 practice plus:

Controlled access;

Decontamination of all waste;

Decontamination of lab clothing before laundering;

Baseline serum.
Primary barriers = Class I or II BCSs or other physical containment devices used for all manipulations of agents; PPEs: protective lab clothing; gloves; respiratory protection as needed. BSL-2 plus:

Physical separation from access corridors;

Self-closing, double- door access;

Exhausted air not recirculated;

Negative airflow into laboratory.
4 Dangerous/exotic agents which pose high risk of life-threatening disease, aerosol-transmitted lab infections; or related agents with unknown risk of transmission. BSL-3 practices plus:

Clothing change before entering;

Shower on exit;

All material decontaminated on exit from facility.
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:

Separate building or isolated zone;

Dedicated supply/exhaust, vacuum, and decon systems;

Other requirements outlined in the text.
Biosafety Level Agents Practices Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers) Facilities (Secondary Barriers)

Biosafety Level	Agents	Practices	Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers)	Facilities (Secondary Barriers)
1	Not known to cause disease in healthy adults.	Standard Microbiological Practices.	None required.	Open bench top sink required.
2	Associated with human disease, hazard = auto- inoculation, ingestion, mucous membrane exposure.	BSL-1 practice plus: Limited access; Biohazard warning signs; "Sharps" precautions; Biosafety manual defining any needed waste decontamination or medical surveillance policies.	Primary barriers = Class I or II BSCs or other physical containment devices used for all manipulations of agents that cause splashes or aerosols of infectious materials; PPEs: laboratory coats; gloves; face protection as needed.	BSL-1 plus: Autoclave available.
3	Indigenous or exotic agents with potential for aerosol transmission; disease may have serious or lethal consequences.	BSL-2 practice plus: Controlled access; Decontamination of all waste; Decontamination of lab clothing before laundering; Baseline serum.	Primary barriers = Class I or II BCSs or other physical containment devices used for all manipulations of agents; PPEs: protective lab clothing; gloves; respiratory protection as needed.	BSL-2 plus: Physical separation from access corridors; Self-closing, double- door access; Exhausted air not recirculated; Negative airflow into laboratory.
4	Dangerous/exotic agents which pose high risk of life-threatening disease, aerosol-transmitted lab infections; or related agents with unknown risk of transmission.	BSL-3 practices plus: Clothing change before entering; Shower on exit; All material decontaminated on exit from facility.	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: Separate building or isolated zone; Dedicated supply/exhaust, vacuum, and decon systems; Other requirements outlined in the text.
Biosafety Level	Agents	Practices	Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers)	Facilities (Secondary Barriers)