Microbiological laboratory

The elements of design and construction of a laboratory (secondary barriers) help to protect both the laboratory personnel and the people, animals and plants outside against any infectious agents released by accident.

In BSL-1 and BSL-2 laboratories the risk of infection is basically by direct contact or exposures to unnoticed contacts. Therefore, secondary barriers prevent public access to the work area and decontamination and washing facilities are available.

When there is risk of infection from exposure to a bioaerosol a higher level of containment must be implemented, with multiple secondary barriers to prevent infectious agents from spreading into the environment. This includes specialised ventilation systems to control air flow (from outside to inside), HEPA filtration of the extracted air, controlled-access areas, airlocks or SAS changing-rooms, waste-treatment systems, free-standing buildings or modules, etc.

BSL-1 laboratories are similar to practical laboratories or others where work is done on viable microorganisms that do not cause diseases.
BSL-2 laboratories are similar to research, diagnostic, clinical or other laboratories where work is done on a broad range of moderate-risk agents that are present in the community and associated with diseases of moderate importance.
BSL-3 laboratories could be clinical, production, research or diagnostic facilities, working with exotic or potentially air-transmissible agents that can cause serious, possibly lethal infection.

Annex II of Spanish Royal Decree 178/2004 and Annex IV of Spanish Royal Decree 664/1997 contain the minimum regulatory requirements for the different levels of containment for laboratory activities.

Microbiological laboratory

Biosafety levels of microbiological labs

Further information.

Additional information