Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What type of biological safety cabinet offers the highest level of user protection from pathogens?

1. Class I BSC

2. Class II BSC

3. Class III BSC

4. Class IV BSC

The correct answer is: Class III BSC

Class III biological safety cabinets provide the highest level of protection for the user against pathogens. These cabinets are designed to handle high-risk materials and offer both physical containment and the best possible protection. They are equipped with a gas-tight design, which ensures that no aerosols or contaminants can escape into the surrounding environment. In addition to this airtight construction, Class III BSCs use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to eliminate any potential pathogens in the air, and they typically feature glove ports that allow for manipulation of materials without direct contact. This level of containment is crucial when working with highly infectious agents or potentially deadly pathogens, making Class III cabinets ideal for laboratories that require the utmost safety measures. The other classes of biological safety cabinets do not provide the same level of user protection. Class I BSCs offer personnel protection but do not provide product protection, as they do not provide a sterile environment for the materials being handled. Class II BSCs provide both personnel and product protection, but their design still allows for some environmental exposure, especially when compared to Class III. Class IV cabinets are highly specialized and are primarily used for the most dangerous pathogens, but they are less common and often isolated settings. This underscores the superior user protection that Class