Which biosafety level is described as posing moderate risk?

Which biosafety level is described as posing moderate risk?

• A. BSL-3
• B. BSL-2
• C. BSL-1
• D. BSL-4

Answer: (B)

Moderate risk is handled at the BSL-2 level. This level covers organisms that can cause disease in healthy people but are not spread easily from person to person. Work at this level uses standard microbiological practices plus added protections: lab personnel wear protective equipment such as lab coats, gloves, and eye protection; access to the lab is restricted; procedures that could generate aerosols are conducted in a biosafety cabinet when needed; and there are established decontamination and waste-disposal procedures. Training and some medical surveillance are typically required as well. Lower levels are for minimal risk (BSL-1), involving basic handling with standard practices. Higher levels (BSL-3 and BSL-4) involve greater risk and more stringent controls, such as negative pressure environments and respirators, for agents that can cause severe or lethal disease and are harder to treat or prevent.

Moderate risk is handled at the BSL-2 level. This level covers organisms that can cause disease in healthy people but are not spread easily from person to person. Work at this level uses standard microbiological practices plus added protections: lab personnel wear protective equipment such as lab coats, gloves, and eye protection; access to the lab is restricted; procedures that could generate aerosols are conducted in a biosafety cabinet when needed; and there are established decontamination and waste-disposal procedures. Training and some medical surveillance are typically required as well.

Lower levels are for minimal risk (BSL-1), involving basic handling with standard practices. Higher levels (BSL-3 and BSL-4) involve greater risk and more stringent controls, such as negative pressure environments and respirators, for agents that can cause severe or lethal disease and are harder to treat or prevent.