Laboratory Safety and Biohazard Management Flashcards

Manipulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures should be performed at which minimum biosafety level?

Answer: BSL-3

Propagating M. tuberculosis cultures carries aerosol transmission risk and requires BSL-3 practices and facilities.

Which class of biological safety cabinet protects the worker, the product, and the environment?

Answer: Class II

Class II BSCs combine inward airflow with HEPA-filtered downflow and exhaust to protect personnel, product, and environment.

How often must a biological safety cabinet be certified?

Answer: At least annually and whenever it is moved

NSF/ANSI 49 calls for certification at installation, at least annually, and after relocation or repair.

Which practice most compromises the protective airflow of a Class II biological safety cabinet?

Answer: Placing materials on the front air intake grille

Blocking the front grille disrupts the inward air curtain and allows aerosols to escape toward the operator.

Hepatitis B virus can remain infectious on dried environmental surfaces for approximately how long at room temperature?

Answer: Up to 7 days

HBV can survive at least 7 days in dried blood on surfaces, which is why prompt disinfection is critical.

Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, the employer must offer hepatitis B vaccination to at-risk employees within what time frame?

Answer: Within 10 working days of initial assignment

OSHA requires the vaccine be offered free of charge within 10 working days of initial assignment.

A culture of Ebola virus being shipped is classified under which UN designation?

Answer: UN2814 Infectious Substance, affecting humans

Category A agents capable of causing life-threatening disease in humans ship as UN2814.