Biosafety Level (Noun)
Meaning
The level of safety from exposure to infectious agents; depends on work practices and safety equipment and facilities.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- A biohazard with high risk to the general population would typically be classified at biosafety level 4, requiring specialized containment in order to prevent a large-scale outbreak.
- Research on recombinant DNA was initially placed at biosafety level P4, and scientists and government officials recommended strict controls on experiments and practices.
- In the event of a suspected bioterror attack, biosafety level 4 practices can be rapidly deployed in non-traditional settings, such as emergency operations centers.
- Handling tissues from animals infected with SARS virus requires biosafety level 3 practices due to potential transmission risk to research personnel and the surrounding community.
- Labs working with HBV and HIV should use at least biosafety level 2 practices when handling clinical specimens, infected cell lines, and laboratory-attenuated viral agents.