Where is all work with BSL-4 pathogens conducted?

All work with Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) pathogens is conducted in a Class III biological safety cabinet. This is due to the extreme risk posed by BSL-4 agents, which are known to cause severe or fatal diseases in humans and typically have no available treatments or vaccines.

Class III biological safety cabinets are designed to provide the highest level of containment and protection. They are completely sealed and provide a controlled environment with HEPA-filtered air. Personnel working with BSL-4 pathogens must remain separated from the biohazardous materials, which is achieved by the use of these Class III cabinets that allow for safe manipulation while protecting both the operator and the surrounding environment.

In contrast, open laboratory spaces and Class II biological safety cabinets do not offer the same level of containment as Class III cabinets. Open spaces lack the necessary barriers and are not suited for handling highly infectious agents safely. Class II cabinets do provide some protection, but they are not sealed systems and thus not appropriate for the most dangerous pathogens classified as BSL-4. A fume hood, while useful for certain chemical processes, does not provide sufficient biological containment for high-risk pathogens.