Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the specialized clothing or equipment worn by an individual to protect them from exposure to health and safety hazards. In a laboratory environment this can range from safety glasses, gloves, and a lab coat, right through to a Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) positive pressure suit. Additional protection is offered by fume hoods and biosafety cabinets, two commonly used pieces of laboratory equipment that significantly decrease the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals or biological agents.
Fume hoods are designed to remove chemical fumes and aerosols from the laboratory. They use a fan to draw in air through the front of the hood, which is then expelled from the laboratory (ducted fume hoods) or filtered and fed back into the room (recirculating fume hoods). A secondary function of fume hoods is to act as a physical barrier between chemical spills, runaway reactions, and fire.
Biosafety cabinets provide a clean working environment and allow safe handling of biological contaminants and other potentially hazardous materials. They exist in several different forms, depending on the type of containment that is required. Class I cabinets exhibit similar air movement to a fume hood, although the exhaust air must be High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered for environmental protection; class II cabinets vary according to the amount of air that is recirculated within the cabinet, and are selected according to the nature and quantity of materials being used; class III cabinets are suitable for work with BSL-4 agents, providing a gas-tight enclosure with a completely sealed viewing window.
Whether carrying out a chemical reaction within a fume hood, or working with micro-organisms contained by a biosafety cabinet, safe work practices should always be followed. We’ve reached out to the scientific community to bring you three top tips for working with each of these platforms.
Fume hoods and biosafety cabinets are essential pieces of laboratory equipment, carefully designed to protect both personnel and products. By selecting a suitable platform, and using it appropriately, exposure to potentially hazardous materials can be avoided.