risk management
Recommended Supplies for BSL-2 Labs
This page provides recommendations for supplies that should be used in a BSL-2 laboratory. Examples are given along with their corresponding Fisher catalogue number to provide assistance to investigators. These specific items may be replaced at the discretion of the investigator with like items from other suppliers as the Biosafety Officer does not endorse a specific brand or vendor.
- Vacuum trap for liquid waste
Liquid waste should be collected and treated with bleach to a final concentration of 10% bleach for 30 minutes prior to disposal in order to ensure inactivation of biological agents.
- HEPA filtered vacuum line
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| Vacuum Line HEPA Filter (.22um pore size) | Vacuum Line HEPA Filter (.3um pore size) |
Fisher Cat. # slfg05010 | Fisher Cat. # 09-744-79 |
Aspirating cultures can create aerosols. HEPA filtered vacuum lines prevent aerosolized microbes from contaminating the vacuum line and possible release to the environment.
- Method for decontaminating pipets
 |  | Beaker Filled with 10% Bleach |
| Pipet Sterilization Tray | Pipet Keeper | |
Fisher Cat. # 13-361-5 | Fisher Cat. # 14-375-268 |
- Biohazard Transport Container
Biohazard Container | Specimen Bag |
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Transport containers should be sealed, leak-proof and labeled with the biohazard symbol. The Biosafety Officer provides biohazard stickers at lab inspections and upon request.
- *Recommended* Designated cloth or disposable lab coats for viral culture
 | Disposable Polypropylene Lab Coat Fisher Cat. 19-150-1555 |
The use of designated or disposable lab coats limits the likelihood of spreading contamination beyond the culture room. Grossly contaminated cloth lab coats should be treated with 10% bleach and/or autoclaved prior to laundering. Metal snaps may melt in the autoclave. Disposable coats should be disposed as biohazardous waste.
- *Recommended* Centrifuges with sealed rotors or safety cups to contain aerosols
Safety Cups | Sealed Rotors |
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Aerosols can be released during centrifugation even when using sealed tubes. Micro-fractures in tubes can turn into cracks during centrifugation resulting in a loss of containment. Exposure to personnel and contamination of equipment can occur from the resulting spray, splatter or aerosols. This is of greatest concern when centrifugating substances containing microbes, toxins or human material which may be infected with blood borne pathogens.
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