Lab technicians depend heavily on advanced tools and technologies for personnel safety, a safe surrounding environment, and smooth workflow. Biosafety cabinets (BSCs) are one of them. These devices protect operators and the surroundings from hazardous materials and harmful agents. These ventilated enclosures come equipped with HEPA filters and laminar airflow systems. While filters prevent airborne particles from releasing into the atmosphere, the laminar airflow technique takes care of unidirectional airflow.
Laminar airflow is a critical feature of biosafety cabinets as it offers contamination control, air quality maintenance, personnel safety, and efficient filtration. Essentially, these two integral components of a biosafety cabinet play a critical role in containing airborne contaminants inside.
- Types of biosafety cabinets
Biological safety cabinets can be of various types, including Class I, II, and III. Each serves a unique purpose. A Class I BSC exhausts air after filtering it through a HEPA filter to ensure environmental and personal safety. However, these cabinets can only be used for low- to medium-risk agents because product sterility is not the primary focus. Products can become contaminated inside. Class II cabinets can deal with biotechnological and microbiological substances that demand sterility. These cabinets can safeguard everyone or everything, such as personnel, products, and the environment. Gas-tight Class III cabinets can be ideal if you work with high-risk chemicals or microbiological agents.
Nevertheless, Class II cabinets remain the most popular choice for most labs for several reasons. These feature-rich cabinets are available in many options, so let’s learn about them quickly.
- Features of Class II Biosafety Cabinets
These cabinets are known for their easy use, functionality, and safety. That’s why labs prefer them the most. One of the highlights of these biosafety cabinets is the advanced airflow system. They provide controlled airflow and filtering functionalities to trap contaminants. Those furnished with integrated particle monitoring systems (IPMS) can track the concentration of particles to maintain cleanliness 24/7. You can look at the system to confirm that the cleanliness level meets ISO 5 standards. IPMS will alert you about the workspace contamination risk or a need for servicing. Because real-time data is generated regarding the workspace air quality, the risk of cross-contamination is almost zero.
Trusted or established companies often make BSCs user-friendly as it determines their safety. Any system that is uncomfortable or complex to use can cause safety concerns. Hence, these cabinets follow ergonomic designs incorporating people-oriented features to help users conduct their lab tasks hassle-free. Comfortable cabinet designs include the proper height of the control panels, easy sash operations, adequate workspace, etc. For cleanliness, most cabinet surfaces feature stainless steel material.
- Types of Class II Biosafety Cabinets
As mentioned, these cabinets come in many options, such as A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1. Of them, A2 and B2 are most popular. A Type A2 biosafety cabinet in Class II can efficiently manage even tiny volatile chemicals, making them a must-have for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. B2 cabinets can handle radionuclides and toxic chemicals in large quantities. So, let’s find out more about them.
- Biosafety Cabinets, Class II, Type A2
A Type A2 cabinet draws air through the front opening, which mingles with the downflow air entering the front intake vent and travels through the duct chamber, where the air is divided. Generally, the workspace gets 60% to 70% of recycled air through the downflow HEPA filter, while the other 30% to 40% is removed from the system through a duct. However, these cabinets are most admired for their ability to function independently. They don’t rely on the lab’s HVAC system. The airflow is managed and maintained by motors. Because external ducting is not required, the installation cost also comes down. When incorporating these cabinets, users have to factor in a few things, such as the nature of the activity, lab layout, and the need for flexibility.
These biosafety cabinets have become essential to settings like pharmaceutical compounding, drug development, microbiology labs, and clinical research. They can prevent cross-contamination in applications handling sterile materials or pathogens.
- Biosafety Cabinets, Class II, Type B2
A Type B2 cabinet (also called a B2) is most commonly found in North America. These cabinets also have various safety features to handle hazardous materials like radionuclides or volatile chemicals. You can expect them to take care of the environment, products, and users. The inflow of air in the cabinet comes from the front grill, which is necessary for people’s safety. It is further balanced by clean downflow laminar airflow in the workspace for product protection. Even the air to be exhausted passes through a HEPA filter to safeguard the environment. To be precise, toxic vapors are eliminated from the cabinet without recirculation. At the same time, the cabinet exhausts 100% of its air outside, unlike an A2 that recycles about 60% to 70% of air.
- Applications of Class II Type A2 and Type B2 Biosafety Cabinets
Laboratories use both these types of cabinets for distinct purposes. A2 is useful for microbiological research that usually doesn’t involve toxic chemicals or a very low amount. Even cell culture and virology labs can benefit from them. B2 must be used when dealing with radionuclides or volatile chemicals. Typically, pharma and research labs need them. Pharmacies can use A2 cabinets to manage or prepare non-hazardous drugs or non-sterile compounds. Many hospital pharmacies depend on them for pharmaceutical compounding. A B2 can be used for chemotherapy or other hazardous drugs.
Which is better – A2 or B2? Some believe B2 is more practical, which is a misconception. Both are critical and have made their place in the research and development world. If high cost is a concern, the A2 model can be more suitable than the B2 because of its low energy needs. B2 is designed explicitly for toxic volatile chemicals, while A2 is not for that environment. Hence, clarity about the job’s requirements and purpose is crucial before selecting any. They both do well in their respective areas. However, only reputed products that meet all regulatory and safety standards should be considered. They can help produce significant and reliable results. Their versatility and flexibility can be an added advantage.