Containment Levels
The containment requirements for biological agents must take into account the characteristics of the biological agent, operational practices, laboratory design and physical requirements. To reflect the inherent risk associated with inadvertent release of biological agents to the environment, both Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have graduated their requirements to ensure that no unnecessary burdens are imposed. Thus, risk level 1 containment is less stringent than risk level 4. In addition, the responsibility for ensuring the appropriate controls are in place has been delegated to the host institution for level 1 & 2 containment facilities, while level 3 & 4 facilities must be certified by both agencies prior to use and regularly thereafter. In cases of zoonotic agents, both Agencies will enter into discussion to determine whom shall take the lead based on a risk evaluation.
Although Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency may have their own specific requirements, they both address the need to characterize the biological agent, consider operational practices, and define laboratory design and physical requirements. The list below provides some examples of these issues that must be considered. A complete list of requirements may be obtained through the web site links referenced below.
Characteristics of Biological Agent:
- infectious dose
- route of infection
- pathogenicity
- host range, vectors
- prevention & treatment
Operational Practices:
- access control & traffic flow
- microbiological techniques and procedures
- biological safety cabinets
- training
- spill & emergency procedures
- medical surveillance
- waste management
Laboratory Design and Physical Requirements:
- location of laboratory
- signage
- work & floor surfaces (sealed, easily disinfected..)
- directional air flow, exhaust, filtration, dead air space
- security
- electrical and plumbing
- office work stations
Containment Requirements:
• Public Health Agency of Canada - Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, 3rd Edition, 2004