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UNIT 17. MICROBIOLOGY AND
MICROBIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES
Assignment 17B: Culturing microorganism
, BIOCONTAINMENT METHODS USED IN COLLEGE LAB:
Biocontainment is a component used to reduce the risk of laboratory work.
These methods are basically used to confine the toxic and infectious agents to
minimise their exposure to individuals working in the laboratory. In college
laboratory, the basic biocontainment methods are used, as there are not very
toxic agents used. Usually, biosafety level 1 is used because only standard
experimental work is carried out in college which doesn't involve consistent use
of toxic and hazardous agents. Biosafety level 1 is basically used during the
educational training and microorganisms which are used are not pathogenic and
are unlikely to cause the disease such as E. coli. To reduce the risks and hazards
in college laboratory, the physical containment is achieved by using the
personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as gloves, safety glasses and lab
coats. Risk assessment prior to the practical work is also necessary in biosafety
class 1. There are not very specialised or designed features used in biosafety
class 1, only the standard microbiological practices are followed such as a sink
is available for hand washing. Other than that, a basic fume cupboard is also
used in college laboratory to keep the infectious agents and hazardous
chemicals.
BIOCONTAINMENT METHODS USED IN INDUSTRIAL
LABS:
On industrial level, there are very strict rules for biosafety equipment,
laboratory design and specialised features due to the fact that they use various
methods which includes hazardous materials and toxic and pathogenic
microbes. They carry out appropriate risk assessments specifically conducted
for each procedure. They use different levels of biosafety cabinets depending on
the type of experiment they are carrying out, but mostly biosafety level 2,3 and
4 are used in industries because they provide more safety than biosafety level 1.
Biosafety level 2 is used when there is moderate risk of inhaling, swallowing or
exposure of infectious microbes. In biosafety level 2, the features which are
available includes eye washing stations, hand washing sinks, and automatic
doors which could be locked. They also must include an autoclave, special
equipment to decontaminate hazardous waste and incinerator. Biosafety level 3
is usually used when there is a risk of inhaling a pathogen transmitted through
air which could cause lethal infections in individuals working in the laboratory.
All the equipment which are used are placed in biosafety cabinets which control
the air flow and avoid the exposure of infectious agents to the surrounding
environment. Biosafety level 3 laboratories include special features which have
directional air flow to easily decontaminate the environment. It includes sealed
windows and walls, interlocked doors, proper filtered ventilation systems, an
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