Biosafety Levels (BSL) & Risk Groups (RG)

Biosafety Levels
There are four biosafety levels associated with infectious microorganisms and laboratory animals.  The levels differ in the degree of protection provided to personnel, the community, and the environment. Although the degree of protection varies, all four biosafety levels share common microbiological practices that are designed to enhance safety and protection.  University Of MD, Baltimore houses three levels of biosafety laboratories:

• Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1)
• Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2)
• Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)

BSL-1
Biosafety Level 1 is appropriate for work with microorganisms that are not known to cause disease in healthy human humans.  This level of laboratory is used for work with non hazardous materials.  UMB requires only an open bench and a closeable laboratory door as facility safety features for a BSL-1 laboratory.

BSL-2
Biosafety Level 2 builds upon Biosafety Level 1.  The facility, containment devices, controls, and practices that constitute a Biosafety Level 2 laboratory, are designed to create safe working conditions for persons working with agents of moderate risk, to personnel and the environment.  UMB requires a hand washing sink, eye wash, and Class II Biological Safety Cabinet within the BSL-2 facility.  The minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) required at this level, is a laboratory coat and gloves. Additional PPE will be recommended after a risk assessment of the work to be completed. All work in BSL-2 laboratories should be registered with the Biosafety Office in order to complete the risk assessment.

BSL-3
BSL-3 laboratories are suitable for work with infectious agents which may cause serious or potentially lethal diseases, as a result of inhalation exposure.  There are specific facility and procedural features that set a BSL-3 laboratory apart from BSL-2 laboratories.  BSL-3 laboratories require double door entry using self-closing, lockable doors.  The laboratory must be under negative pressure, meaning the direction of air flow is inward, into the laboratory.  A Class II Biological Safety Cabinet is the minimum level of containment that can be used for manipulations in a BSL-3 laboratory.  Personal protective equipment requirements and possible need for respiratory protection will be based on a risk assessment of the work to be completed.  All work in BSL-3 laboratories must be registered and approved by the IBC. Standard operating procedures are also required to be submitted and approved by the IBC.

For more information on Biosafety Levels please visit:  BMBL Biosafety Level Chart

Risk Groups
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infective microorganisms by Risk Group.   The infective agents in each country are classified by risk group based on pathogenicity of the organism, modes of transmission and host range of the organism. Various factors can influence Risk Group classification such as:  existing levels of immunity, density and movement of host population presence of appropriate vectors and standards of environmental hygiene. Risk Group is not equivalent to Biosafety Level, but the risk group can be used as part of the risk assessment to help in determining what level of protection is required when working with an agent.

For a listing of WHO Risk Groups please visit:  ABSA Risk Group Definitions