A biological safety cabinet (BSC) is a primary engineering control used to protect personnel against biohazardous or infectious agents and to help maintain quality control of the material being worked with as it filters both the inflow and exhaust air.
There are three classes of biosafety cabinets designated in the United States: Class I, Class II, and Class III.
The three States of Protection
Biological Safety Cabinets are classified into three classes based upon their containment capabilities when working with biological agents.
Class 1 Cabinets
Provides personal and environment protection.
Used when working with low to moderate risk biological agents.
Biosafety levels: 1, 2 and 3
Class 2 Cabinets
Provides personnel, environment and product protection.
Used when working with low to moderate risk biological agents.
Biosafety Levels: 1, 2 and 3
Class 3 Cabinets
A highly specialized laboratory “glovebox”. A Class 3 cabinet provides the same protection as a Class 2 but is designed for working with Biosafety Level 4 highly infectious agents and provides the highest level of protection for the environment, product and user.
Used when you are working with very high risk biological agents.
Biosafety Level: 4