ABSL

Agents

Practices

Safety Equipment
(Primary Barriers)

Facilities
(Secondary Barriers)

1

Not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adults

Standard animal care and management practices, including appropriate medical surveillance programs

As required for normal care of each species

Standard animal facility

• No recirculation of exhaust air
• Directional air flow recommended
• Handwashing sink recommended

2

Associated with human disease. Hazard: percutaneous exposure, ingestion, mucous membrane exposure

ABSL-1 practices plus:

• Limited access
• Biohazard warning signs
• “Sharps” precautions
• Biosafety manual
• Decontamination of all infectious waste and of animal cages prior to washing

ABSL-1 equipment plus primary barriers: containment equipment appropriate for animal species; PPEs: laboratory coats; gloves; face and respiratory protection as needed

ABSL-1 facility plus:

• Autoclave available
• Handwashing sink available in the animal room
• Mechanical cage washer used

3

Indigenous or exotic agents with potential for aerosol transmission; disease may have serious health consequences

ABSL-2 practices plus:

• Controlled access
• Decontamination of clothing before laundering
• Cages decontaminated before bedding removed
• Disinfectant foot bath as needed

ABSL-2 equipment plus:

• Containment equipment for housing animals and cage dumping activities
• Class I or II BSCs available for manipulative procedures (inoculation, necropsy) that may create infectious aerosols. PPE: appropriate respiratory protection

ABSL-2 facility plus:

• Physical separation from access corridors
• Self-closing, double-door access
• Sealed penetrations
• Sealed windows
• Autoclave available in facility

4

Dangerous/exotic agents that pose high risk of life-threatening disease; aerosol-transmission, or related agents with unknown risk of transmission

ABSL-3 practices plus:

• Entrance through change room where personal clothing is removed and laboratory clothing is put on; shower on exiting
• All wastes are decontaminated before removal from facility

ABSL-3 equipment plus:

• Maximum containment equipment (i.e. Class III BSCs or partial containment equipment in combination with full-body, air-supplied, positive pressure personnel suit) used for all procedures and activities

ABSL-3 facility plus:

• Separate building or isolated zone
• Dedicated supply and exhaust, vacuum, and decon systems
• Other requirements outlined in the BMBL text