A brief introduction to Biosafety Levels

Image credits: Mr. Jatin Kumar, Graphic Designer, Biotechticle Research Group

Written by- Simpal Kumar Suman

Biosafety: Biosafety is the application of sets of precautions during lab work by the researchers/scientists/lab technicians and other lab workers that reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infectious biological entities or microbes and limit contamination of the lab environment and, ultimately, the community level.

Biosafety Levels(BSLs):

There are four types of Biosafety Levels. These are:

• BSL-1

Examples- Non-pathogenic strain of E.coli, Lactobacillus, etc. 

• BSL-2

Examples- Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, etc. 

• BSL-3

Examples- Mycobacterium tuberculosis(TB), West Nile Fever, etc. 

• BSL-4

Examples- Ebola and Marburg viruses, Coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2, etc. 

Each biosafety level has its own specific containment controls strategies  that are required for the following:

• Laboratory practices & personal experience

• Safety equipment

• Facility construction

Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/training/quicklearns/biosafety/