Laboratory Products Focus
laminar flow of the work chamber.
Laboratory isolator with positive pressure for handling sterile material
system correctly, it is essential to know the risk level of the biological agents that will be handled inside it. These are classified into groups, according to their different infection risk levels.
These risk levels condition individual and collective preventive measures, the handling of biological material, the installation of the laboratory, protective measures and laboratory techniques.
If the samples are of chemical origin, basically substances that are carcinogenic or cancerous, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (all other chemical substances are normally handled in a gas hood), they cannot be easily neutralised, for which reason they must always be handled with a third-filter system, or others safe enough alternative, under the work surface of the cabinet, to protect personnel during maintenance operations.
What is it necessary to protect?
According to that, a specific pressure system will be set up inside the work chamber of the cabinet.
Product protection:
If the cabinet is being used to deal with products with no biohazard that require conditions of absolute sterility, it is advisable to use positive-pressure isolators. In this case, the work chamber of the isolator is at a higher pressure than the rest of the room. The material pass-through is also under positive pressure, although slightly lower than the work chamber to guarantee aseptic conditions inside the cabinet. This kind of equipment not only provides a high level of containment against external contamination, but avoids the risk of cross-contamination because of
If the product handled inside the chamber does not pose any chemical or biological risk but requires a sterile laminar flow without conditions of extreme asepsis, it is advisable to work with vertical or horizontal laminar flow cabinets instead of with isolators, since there is easier to work in and the equipment is less expensive. A vertical or horizontal flow chamber is chosen according to the user's application and the instruments to be placed inside it. When the user requires easy access to material inside, it is advisable to use horizontal laminar flow cabinets, but if the user is handling samples that can splash or release bad smells, or simply needs to place large objects such as CO2 incubators inside the cabinet, it is advisable to use vertical laminar flow cabinets.
User protection:
When it is necessary to handle microbiological agents with Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) it is essential to guarantee the protection of the operator. In these cases, it is necessary to use a Class III Biosafety Cabinet. These cabinets provide a completely enclosed, sealed working area, ensuring the user is completely separated from the product by a physical barrier, handling the sample with mechanical gloves attached to the sealed window of the cabinet. A HEPA H-14 filter located on the side or at the rear of the cabinet provides a continuous supply of filtered air to the work chamber, and the evacuated air is passed through a HEPA-14 filter to prevent the release of microorganisms into the environment. The HEPA H-14 supply filter provides a turbulent flow inside the cabinet. Materials are introduced in and removed from the cabinet through one or two material pass-through with interlocking door
system, which can be decontaminated between uses.
To handle pathogenic agents of groups BSL-1, BSL-2 and BSL-3 with the sole aim of protecting the users in cases where the samples do not require protection, a class I biosafety cabinet can be used, although this is not a very common solution, and always requires the use of additional protection means.
Class II Biosafety Cabinet
Protection of the user, product and environment:
Class III Biosafety Cabinet
When working with microorganisms of Biosafety Levels 2 and 3 (BSL-2 and BSL-3) it is important to guarantee the protection of the user, the product and the environment. In these situations, it is advisable to use class II biosafety cabinets, which provide a ISO 4 (class 10) or 5 (class 100) sterile laminar flow inside the work chamber. Another option is to use negative-pressure isolators with laminar flow inside the work chamber. While the cabinet protects the user by means of an air barrier, the isolator is a closed system which protects the user by means of a sheet of glass. It is important for the user to be aware of the current standards and regulations governing these devices before choosing one correctly. Biological safety cabinets have been regulated for decades by strict legal regulations, initially local (such as BS-5726 in the UK, NF X44- 201 in France or DIN 12950 in Germany) and later by a single European standard: EN 12469. Several entities, such as TÜV or LNE are authorised to issue the relevant certification, with TÜV in Hamburg
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