Summary of biosafety level
| BSL | Infectious agents | Safety Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bacillus subtilis, hepatitis virus, E.coli | Open bench top |
| 2 | Measles virus, Hepatitis B virus | Class I or II BSCs. PPE: lab coat, gloves, face protection as needed |
| 3 | M. tuberculosis, Bacillus anthracis | Class I or II BSCs. PPE: lab coat, gloves, overshoes, respiratory protection |
| 4 | Ebola, Rift Valley Fever | Class III or I or II BSCs. PPE: full-body, air-supplied, positive pressure personnel suit. |
BSL = Biosafety Level BSC = Biosafety cabinets PPE = Personal protective equipment
The assignment of an agent to a biosafety level must be based on a risk assessment. The risk assessment will take the Hazard Group, as well as other factors, into consideration.
For example, an agent of Hazard Group 2 may be assigned to BSL-2. However, if a particular experiment requires the generation of high-concentration aerosols, BSL-3 may be more appropriate to provide the necessary degree of safety, since it ensures superior containment of aerosols in the laboratory.