What does biosafety level 2 mean?

Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) refers to the second tier of laboratory biosafety containment, designed for work involving agents that pose moderate hazards to human health and the environment.

Agents handled in BSL-2 laboratories are:

Associated with human disease that is typically not serious.

Preventable or treatable with available therapeutic interventions.

Not transmitted via airborne routes under normal conditions.

Examples: Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Hepatitis B virus (HBV), HIV, Toxoplasma gondii.

Importance of BSL-2:

Enables diagnostic, research, and teaching activities with common pathogenic organisms.

Provides intermediate containment between BSL-1 and BSL-3.

Common in clinical and academic labs handling blood, tissues, and body fluids.

History and Standards:

BSL-2 guidelines were established by the U.S. CDC and NIH to standardize lab safety procedures.

It is globally recognized and incorporated into WHO biosafety guidelines.

Key containment features of BSL-2:

Restricted access during work with infectious agents.

Mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as lab coats, gloves, and eye protection.

Procedures that may produce aerosols must be conducted in certified Class II biosafety cabinets.

Biohazard signs must be posted at entrances.

Decontamination of all infectious waste using autoclaving or chemical treatment.

Availability of handwashing sinks and eyewash stations within the lab.

Required practices:

Training for all personnel in handling pathogenic agents.

Safe handling of sharps and use of mechanical pipetting devices (no mouth pipetting).

Daily decontamination of surfaces and regular equipment disinfection.

BSL-2 provides an essential framework for safely managing moderately hazardous biological agents in healthcare, public health, and educational settings.