BIOHAZARDS

Biohazards refer to biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms,
primarily humans. Here are the main types of biohazards and their potential consequences:

1. Infectious Agents

● These are microorganisms that can cause disease in humans, animals, or plants.
● Consequences: Can lead to diseases ranging from mild (like the common cold) to
severe (such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, or COVID-19), llead to loss of life.
Examples:
○ Bacteria: Strepto coccus, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Mycobacterium
tuberculosis.
○ Viruses: HIV (causing AIDS), SARS-CoV-2 (causing COVID-19), Rhinovirus
(Common cold)
○ Fungi: Aspergillus (causing lung infections), Candida albicans (causing yeast
infections).
○ Parasites: Plasmodium (causing malaria), Toxoplasma gondii (causing
toxoplasmosis).

2. Biological Toxins

● These are toxic substances produced by microorganisms, plants, or animals that can
harm living organisms.
● Consequences: Exposure can result in poisoning, neurological damage, or death.
Toxins can contaminate food or water supplies, leading to widespread health issues.
● Examples:
○ Botulinum toxin: causes botulism.
○ Ricin: Found in castor beans; highly toxic if ingested or inhaled.
○ Tetrodotoxin: Found in pufferfish; causes paralysis and death

3. Allergens

● Substances that cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

● Consequences: Can trigger allergic reactions ranging from mild (sneezing, itching) to
severe (anaphylaxis). Chronic exposure can lead to respiratory issues or other
long-term health effects. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction
that can occur rapidly after exposure to an allergen. It affects multiple systems in the
body, often causing symptoms such as:
1. Difficulty breathing (due to swelling of the throat and airway)
2. Drop in blood pressure
3. Skin reactions like swelling
4. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
 5. Dizziness or fainting
● Examples:
○ Pollen: From trees, grasses, and flowers, leading to hay fever.
○ Mold spores: Can trigger asthma and other respiratory conditions.
○ Pet dander: Skin flakes from animals like cats and dogs, leading to allergies.

4. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

● Organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering
techniques.
● Consequences: While they can improve food security, concerns exist about potential
impacts on human health, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Allergic reactions and
resistance to antibiotics are potential risks.
● Examples:
○ Bt Corn: A GMO crop that produces a bacterial toxin harmful to pests but
safe for humans.
○ AquaBounty Salmon: Genetically modified to grow faster than normal
salmon.

5. Waste Products

● Biological waste from farming or industrial processes that can pose a biohazard.
● Examples:
○ Manure: Can carry harmful pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.
○ Animal remains: Improper disposal can lead to the spread of diseases like
anthrax.
● Medical Wastes: This includes any waste produced in healthcare settings that may be
contaminated with infectious agents.
● Examples:
○ Used syringes: Can carry bloodborne diseases like HIV or hepatitis C.
○ Surgical instruments: If not sterilized, can lead to infection transmission.
○ Bandages and dressings: Contaminated with bodily fluids and infectious
agents
● Consequences: Can harbor pathogens and lead to infections. Improper disposal can
contaminate soil and water, posing risks to public health and the environment.

6. Vectors

● Animals that transmit diseases to humans.

● Examples:
○ Mosquitoes: Carry malaria, Zika virus, and dengue fever.
○ Ticks: Transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
○ Rats: Spread diseases like leptospirosis and hantavirus.
 ● Consequences: These organisms can transmit diseases (e.g., malaria, Lyme disease)
to humans. Vector-borne diseases can lead to epidemics and have significant public
health implications.

7. Human and Animal Bodily Fluids

● Blood, urine, saliva, and other body fluids that can carry infectious pathogens.
● Examples:
○ Blood: May carry bloodborne pathogens like HIV or hepatitis B.
○ Saliva: Can spread diseases.
○ Semen: Can transmit sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea.

8. Recombinant DNA Technology

● DNA molecules that are artificially combined from different organisms.

● Examples:
○ Gene therapy viruses: Modified viruses used in treatments but pose a risk of
unintended consequences if mishandled.
○ Laboratory pathogens: Engineered bacteria or viruses for research purposes.

BSLs
Biosafety Levels (BSLs) are defined safety protocols designed to protect laboratory
personnel, the environment, and the product when handling biological agents.

Each biosafety level BSL-1 to BSL-4 is defined based on the following:

1. Risks related to containment

2. Severity of infection
3. Transmissibility
4. Nature of the work conducted within the lab
5. Origin of the microbe
6. Agent in question
7. Route of exposure

1. Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1)

● Description: The lowest level of biosafety, designed for labs working with agents that
pose minimal threat to humans or the environment.
● Examples of Agents: Non-pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli).
● Containment Practices: Standard microbiological practices (hand washing, use of
gloves).
● Risk Level: Minimal; agents used are unlikely to cause disease in healthy individuals.
2. Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2)

● Description: Used for labs handling moderate-risk agents that can cause human
disease but are usually not lethal, and have available treatments or vaccines.
● Examples of Agents: Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, HIV.
● Containment Practices: Access to the lab is restricted, and work is conducted in
biological safety cabinets (BSCs)
● Risk Level: Moderate; agents may cause infection through accidental ingestion,
inhalation, or contact with mucous membranes.

3. Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)

● Description: For labs working with agents that can cause serious or potentially lethal
diseases, especially through inhalation, but for which there may be available
treatments.
● Examples of Agents: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (causing tuberculosis),
SARS-CoV-2, Yersinia pestis (causing plague).
● Containment Practices: All work is done in biological safety cabinets or other
containment devices. The lab has controlled access, and personnel must be monitored
and possibly vaccinated.
● Risk Level: High; these agents can cause severe disease if inhaled, though treatments
or vaccines are often available.

4. Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4)

● Description: The highest level of biosafety, reserved for labs handling dangerous and
exotic agents that pose a high risk of aerosol-transmitted infections, have no known
treatment or vaccine, and often result in fatal outcomes.
● Examples of Agents: Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Lassa fever virus.
● Containment Practices: Full isolation and the highest level of containment. All work
is done in Class III biological safety cabinets or by personnel wearing full-body,
air-supplied suits.
● Risk Level: Extreme; agents are life-threatening, and there is no available treatment
or vaccine.
BIOSAFETY CABINETS
Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) are specialized ventilation devices used in laboratories to
provide a clean and safe environment when handling biohazardous materials. They protect
personnel, products, and the surrounding environment from exposure to harmful biological
agents and cross-contamination during laboratory work. BSCs are an essential part of
biosafety practices, especially in laboratories working with infectious or hazardous materials.

There are three main classes of BSCs Class I, Class II, and Class III each designed for
specific containment needs, along with a Class IV environment for extreme containment.

Biosafety cabinets are only used for certain risk group organisms and for processes that might
result in aerosol formation. These cabinets are provided with HEPA-filters that decontaminate
the air moving out of the Cabinet.

BSCs are an essential part of biosafety as they minimize the formation of aerosol, protecting
the environment, the pathogen, and the laboratory personnel. Besides, most BSCs also
function to sterilize biological materials that are kept inside the cabinets.

1. Class I Biological Safety Cabinet

● Purpose: Provides protection for laboratory personnel and the environment but does
not protect the product from contamination.
● Design:
1. Room air is pulled into the cabinet through an opening, where the lab worker’s arms
can enter to handle the materials inside.
 2. Any harmful particles that might be released during work, like from spinning liquids
in a centrifuge or mixing cultures, are sucked inside the cabinet.
3. The air carrying these harmful particles is passed through a HEPA filter (a
high-efficiency filter that captures almost all particles).
4. The air leaving the cabinet is clean and free of harmful particles, making sure the
environment stays safe.
5. The cabinet can either be ducted (connected to the building’s exhaust system to send
air outside) or unducted (where the clean air is recycled back into the lab).
● Use: Suitable for work with low to moderate-risk agents (BSL-1, BSL-2).
● Example Applications: Handling pathogens like Salmonella, preparing chemical
solutions that produce aerosols.

2. Class II Biological Safety Cabinet

● Purpose: Provides protection for personnel, the environment, and the product
(sample). It is the most commonly used BSC in labs.
● Design:
1. A fan at the top of the cabinet creates a curtain of sterile air that flows over the
workstation where biological materials are handled.
2. The air moves downwards, under the work surface, and then rises back to the top of
the cabinet. This air passes through HEPA filters, which remove harmful particles.
3. Air is drawn in from the front of the cabinet, creating a barrier that protects the
operator from potentially contaminated air.
● Type A1:
1. Minimum inflow speed: 75 ft/min.
2. Air is mixed and can be recirculated or exhausted.
3. Not recommended for hazardous chemicals.
● Type A2:
1. Minimum inflow speed: 100 ft/min.
2. 60-70% of air is recirculated, 30-40% is exhausted.
3. Must vent hazardous chemicals outside.
● Type B1:
1.Uses single-pass airflow to control hazardous vapors.
2.40% air recirculated, 60% exhausted.
3.Includes a dedicated exhaust duct.
● Type B2:
1.100% of the air is filtered and exhausted outside.
2.No air is recirculated within the cabinet.
3.Ideal for tasks with toxic vapors.
● Use: Suitable for handling moderate to high-risk agents (BSL-2, BSL-3), such as HIV,
influenza, and other infectious pathogens.
● Example Applications: Cell culture work, handling potentially infectious samples,
pharmaceutical research.
3. Class III Biological Safety Cabinet

● Purpose: Provides the highest level of protection for personnel, product, and the
environment. It is used for highly dangerous pathogens that pose a significant risk of
aerosol transmission and often lack vaccines or treatments.
● Design:
1. Rubber Gloves are attached to the cabinet, allowing operators to handle materials
without direct contact, hence the name "glove boxes."
2. Transfer Chamber allows for the sterilization of materials before they exit the cabinet,
reducing contamination risks.
3. While the gloves restrict movement, they effectively prevent contact with hazardous
samples, enhancing safety.
4. The exhaust air is filtered through double HEPA filters or treated with incineration,
ensuring that harmful particles do not escape into the environment.
5. These cabinets are often designed to fit specific laboratory requirements,
incorporating necessary equipment within the chamber.
● Use: Used for work with extremely hazardous materials (BSL-3, BSL-4), such as
Ebola, Marburg virus, or highly contagious pathogens.
● Example Applications: Handling dangerous and exotic pathogens that require high
containment.
4. Class IV Environments (Biosafety Level 4 Facilities)

● Purpose: Provides extreme containment for the most dangerous pathogens in a

controlled laboratory environment.
● Design:
○ These are not standalone cabinets but entire labs designed to handle BSL-4
pathogens. Workers wear full-body, air-supplied suits and enter/exit through
airlocks. All materials leaving the lab must be decontaminated.
○ Laboratories are sealed, with specialized air and waste decontamination
systems.
● Use: Only for work with the highest risk agents (BSL-4) that pose a severe risk to
humans and for which there are no treatments or vaccines (e.g., Ebola, Lassa virus).
● Example Applications: Research on deadly viruses or testing vaccines for pathogens
with high lethality.