This article deals with the classification of biological agents based on their risk level. They are organised in a way of hazard level lowest to the hazard level highest. It is a collection of measures that must be followed in a laboratory environment. Biosafety is a term for safeguarding researchers from harmful disease-causing pathogens. Biohazards or pathogen explosions may occur if the procedure is failed to adopt. The safeguard procedures are designated to protect the individual laboratory and also their surroundings and community. The safety levels ranged from one to four, based on the organism or pathogen in any laboratory setting.
Opening to biosafety
Biosafety is a measure to ensure the safety of human health from the risks of biological agents in the laboratory and the prevention of contamination. And henceforth, it’s used for research and a better understanding of the biological organisms around us, creating commercial uses of newly identified organisms, and modifying the organisms genetically for purposeful purposes.
Biosafety is a basic and vital subject to do any bio-related research. The research contains manipulating microbial cells, which may be pathogenic to humans. The risks of dealing with this are associated with either the microbial samples or procedures.
Types of Biosafety levels
As mentioned earlier, biosafety levels are categorised from BSL1 to BSL4. This classification can be better understood from the following
- Biosafety level 1 – as the least risk of all laboratory settings includes handling of less or no harmful pathogens for adults. For example, E.coli – harmless bacteria.
- Biosafety level 2 – comprises work with the biological agents of mediocre health threats and disease-causing to humans. The standard microbial measures are the same as BSL1, but improved measures are taken to deal with the potential risk of pathogens. For example, Staphylococcus aureus and HIV.
- Biosafety level 3 – deals with indigenous or exotic pathogens, which cause serious or lethal effects when inhaled. The lab work is strictly under medical surveillance. For example, yellow fever, tuberculosis.
- Biosafety level 4 – it contains highly dangerous and completely exotic species. These are commonly rare and found only in some areas of the USA. For example, the Ebola virus.
What does it mean by Biosafety level 1?
This is the lowest of all four levels. It deals with microbes of less or no pathogenic organisms. For example, when E.coli is worked in a laboratory, there are not many contaminant measures necessary for safety. It requires only usual microbial practices which do not require any isolation of the laboratory from the surroundings. Required precautions are limited and not highly applicable.
Ordinances of Biosafety level 1
- No specific boundaries are drawn between the BSL-1 and the surroundings
- General microbiological practices are conducted on open benchtops
- Unique equipment isn’t required but just in case, can
- Supervised specific training should be conducted in laboratory general
- The autoclave is required only when handling genetically modified microbes
Standard Microbiological Practices in biosafety level 1
- The access control policy of the laboratory should be supervised by the laboratory supervisor.
- Laboratory personnel have to supervise the hands while working with hazardous agents and make sure to sanitise the area and working individuals after leaving the laboratory.
- Improper activities like eating, drinking, nail growth, usage of cosmetics are strictly prohibited in the laboratory.
- Mechanical pipetting is employed; mouth pipetting is strictly prohibited.
- The formation of aerosols and splashes has to be avoided while conducting procedures in the laboratory.
- Any spill of biological agents or while leaving the laboratory, it is compulsory to ensure that the benchtops and tables are well sanitized with disinfectant.
- The supervisor must ensure that all the laboratory personnel has taken required and proper precautions while handling the biological agents.
- Handlings have to be safe and sharp
- A daily decontamination process has to be carried out.
Safety codes in Biosafety level 1
There are no such safety techniques employed so far in BSL-1.
Safety Requirements in Biosafety level 1
- Biosafety cabinets are necessary for Biosafety level 1. Special containment measures aren’t required.
- Disinfectant laboratory uniform dress codes like wearing gloves, head masks, gowns, eyeglasses, coats are recommended.
- Eyewear protection is recommended while performing conductance tests.
- Personal hygiene should be followed.
Uses of Biosafety level 1
- When performing tests or research on non-pathogenic and harmful biological agents, biosafety level 1 is used
- Laboratories in colleges and teaching centres use biosafety level 1 mode of laboratories
List of organisms covered under biosafety level 1
The common microorganisms that are not harmful and nonpathogenic are categorised under biosafety level 1.
Some of the organisms are mentioned as follows
- Escherichia coli strain K12
- Micrococcus letters
- Aspergillus niger
- Agrobacterium radiobacter
- Serratia marcescens
- Neurospora crassa
- Pseudomonas fluorescens
The technique of handling depends upon the strain of the organism.
- Viruses – Bovine enterovirus, canine adenovirus types 1 & 2
- Nematodes – endoparasite to humans and animals
- Fungus – Bayers yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
Conclusion
This detailed article on biosafety level 1 would have given you a well-versed idea of the categorization. The further biosafety levels – 2,3,4 contain well-structured safety measures and laboratory requirements. Categorising the biological agents and laboratories based on the hazardous level of microbes has helped researchers in protecting pathogens from laboratory diseases. These levels are designated to identify and protect laboratory surrounded environments too. This laboratory setting protects the researchers, the laboratory, and also the environment. Knowing the similarities and differences of the biosafety level laboratories applies to anyone who works in a laboratory to ensure their corresponding safety. It is vital to know laboratory settings if anyone works with microbes on a day-to-day basis.