CONTAINMENT OF MICROBIAL AEROSOLS IN A MICROBIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET
Abstract
A microbiological safety cabinet was evaluated to determine conditions under which microorganisms might escape. Tests were conducted under three cabinet-closure conditions, various air flow velocities, and different laboratory operations, when 100,000, 110,000, or 1,000,000 microorganisms per cubic foot of cabinet space were released per minute for 5 minutes. Data revealed that: (i) escape of a human infectious dose is possible when a cabinet is used with the glove panel off; (ii) the number of organisms that escaped from the cabinet increased with a decrease in air velocity; and (iii) an increase in laboratory operations increased organism escape. Thus, when the glove panel is off, the cabinet is safe only for operations that release few microorganisms into the cabinet, whereas the cabinet is safe for operations of significantly greater hazard when used with the glove panel on but without gloves attached.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0838746
Entities
People
- Larry A. Taylor
- Manuel S. Barbeito