Biosafety level

A biosafety level (BSL), or pathogen/protection level, is a set of biocontainment precautions required to isolate dangerous biological agents in an enclosed laboratory facility. The levels of containment range from the lowest biosafety level 1 (BSL-1) to the highest at level 4 (BSL-4). In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have specified these levels in a publication referred to as Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL). In the European Union (EU), the same biosafety levels are defined in a directive. In Canada the four levels are known as Containment Levels.

At the lowest level of biosafety, precautions may consist of regular hand-washing and minimal protective equipment. At higher biosafety levels, precautions may include airflow systems, multiple containment rooms, sealed containers, positive pressure personnel suits, established protocols for all procedures, extensive personnel training, and high levels of security to control access to the facility. These careful measures help keep both scientists and the public safe when working with germs that could make people sick.

History

The first special container for handling dangerous germs was made in 1943 by Hubert Kaempf Jr., a U.S. Army soldier, under the guidance of Arnold G. Wedum at the United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories in Camp Detrick, Maryland.

In 1955, leaders from three main biological warfare labs in the U.S. Army met to discuss safety rules for working with harmful germs, chemicals, and radiation. These meetings were kept secret at first but later included open sessions for sharing safety information more widely. By 1984, these meetings led to the formation of the American Biological Safety Association, which now has over 1,600 members.

In 1977, Australian scientists reviewed safety rules from the United States and the United Kingdom to help create their own safety standards. This led to the building of a very secure lab in Australia in 1985.

In 2003, China built its first highest-level lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, finished in 2014 with help from France.

The Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, built in the early 1990s, is seen as a model for modern high-level labs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020, discussions about labs working with germs became a topic of debate, especially in the U.S. Senate. There were also concerns about labs in Ukraine and Sudan during conflicts.

Levels

Biosafety levels are rules that help keep labs safe when working with tiny living things that can make people sick. There are four levels, from the safest (Level 1) to the most careful (Level 4).

Biosafety level 1

Biosafety level 1 is for working with tiny living things that usually don’t make healthy people sick. These labs don’t need special equipment, but people should wash their hands before and after leaving. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the lab. Any materials that might carry germs must be cleaned before being thrown away. This level is often used in schools and colleges for learning about microbes, like some kinds of bacteria and yeast.

Biosafety level 2

Biosafety level 2 is for working with germs that can make people sick, but not too badly. Labs at this level follow all the rules from Level 1 and add more safety steps. People working here have training and follow special rules. Some work must be done in special air-filtering boxes called biosafety cabinets. This level is used for microbes that can cause diseases like the flu, some kinds of hepatitis, and certain types of bacteria.

Biosafety level 3

Biosafety level 3 is for working with germs that can cause serious illnesses if they get into the air. Labs at this level follow all the rules from the lower levels and add even more safety steps. All work with germs must be done in biosafety cabinets, and lab workers wear special protective clothing. The lab has special doors and air systems to keep germs contained. This level is used for research on germs like tuberculosis, certain viruses, and other microbes that can spread through the air.

Biosafety level 4

Biosafety level 4 is the most careful level and is used for working with germs that can easily spread through the air and cause very serious, often fatal diseases. Work at this level is done inside special boxes or with workers wearing protective suits that keep air flowing in to keep them safe. Everyone entering and leaving the lab is recorded, and all materials leaving the lab are cleaned before they can be used again. This level is used for studying dangerous viruses and other germs for which there are no cures.

Safety concerns

A study in North Carolina showed that there are safety concerns with labs that work with tiny insects and germs. In the United States, labs can get money from different places like the government, states, private groups, or schools. Most of the money, about 72%, comes from schools and similar places.

Labs that work with very dangerous germs and are registered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must follow strict rules. These labs, especially those with the highest safety levels, are watched by the CDC, USDA, or other government groups depending on the germs they study. These labs must be checked often, follow safety rules, and keep learning about how to stay safe.

List of BSL-4 facilities

According to a U.S. report from October 2007, there were 1,356 special labs in the United States for handling very dangerous germs. About 36% of these labs were at schools and universities. In 2007, there were 15 of the most secure labs, called BSL-4, in the U.S., with nine of them at government sites. By May 2021, there were 42 of these top-level labs working around the world, with 17 more being built or planned.

The following is a list of existing BSL-4 facilities worldwide.