Air movement in laboratory infections

Abstract

Microbiological safety cabinets are designed to contain aerosols generated during work with pathological material. The three currently available types are described, and the use of an operator protection factor to characterize containment by open-fronted class I and II types is discussed. Methods for measuring operator protection are outlined and current cabinet containment performance is reviewed. Illustrations are given of the extension of safety-cabinet test methods to special facilities for handling carcinogenic or radio-pharmaceutical material and to the evaluation of complete rooms housing specific containment facilities. The safety-cabinet operator protection factor is proposed as a suitable index for assessing containment by laboratory fume cupboards.