Biosafety levels, description

Description of the disease including natural transmission, natural reservoir, and a biosafety level if established Additional information including threat or treaty listing... 

The United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare has developed a system for classifying toxins and other etiological agents on the basis of hazard. Depending on the level of hazard, the etiological agent can be placed in one of four biosafety levels. A brief description of these biosafety levels is given in Table 1. 

The descriptions given above are summaries of the information found in the third edition of the Department of Health and Human Services Publication (CDC) 93-8395, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. This publication provides information relating to practices, facilities, and safety equipment, as well as recommendations for incorporating these items into four biosafety levels of laboratory operation. 

The laboratory itself should conform to the requirements of a BL-2 or higher level facility, depending on the exact nature of the work. A detailed description of such facilities can be found in the CDC-NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories booklet. 

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