Which device provides protection to laboratory personnel when handling infectious microorganisms?

• A. Laminar Flow Hood
• B. Fume Hood
• C. Biological Safety Cabinet
• D. Biosafety Cabinet

Answer: (C)

Handling infectious microorganisms creates airborne hazards, so you need a containment device that protects the person and the lab environment. A Biological Safety Cabinet is designed for this purpose: it draws room air in, passes it through HEPA filters, and maintains airflow patterns that keep aerosols from escaping into the room while you work. This combination of filtration and controlled air movement directly reduces the risk of inhalation and environmental exposure for the operator.

Laminar flow hoods mainly protect the work from contamination and do not reliably contain aerosols from pathogens, so they’re not appropriate for handling infectious materials. Fume hoods are built for chemical fumes and don’t provide biosafety containment. Biosafety Cabinet is simply another term for this containment device, but the Biological Safety Cabinet is the standard term used for protecting personnel when dealing with infectious agents.