What is biosafety level 1?

Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) is the lowest level of biological containment, designed for laboratories that handle non-pathogenic or minimally hazardous microorganisms not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adult humans.

Agents handled at BSL-1:

Pose minimal potential threat to laboratory workers and the environment.

Are often used in educational and research settings involving basic microbiology.

Examples include Escherichia coli (non-pathogenic strains), Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus spp., and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Importance of BSL-1:

Serves as the foundation for all higher biosafety levels.

Provides a basic level of protection for routine teaching and research in microbiology.

Ensures the safe handling of organisms used in introductory laboratory courses and molecular biology applications.

Standard microbiological practices in BSL-1 labs:

Daily surface decontamination using appropriate disinfectants.

Handwashing with soap before and after procedures.

No eating, drinking, smoking, or applying cosmetics in the laboratory.

Proper labeling and storage of cultures and reagents.

Use of mechanical pipetting devices—no mouth pipetting.

Engineering and facility requirements:

Work is conducted on open lab benches without special containment equipment.

A handwashing sink must be available.

Laboratory must be separated from other facility areas by doors.

Waste is disposed of in accordance with local institutional guidelines, often without the need for specialized decontamination procedures.

Personal protective equipment (PPE):

Lab coats, gloves, and eye protection may be used but are not strictly required for all tasks.

PPE use is determined by the risk assessment of specific procedures.

Training and supervision:

Personnel must receive training in standard microbiological practices.

Supervision by scientists or instructors knowledgeable in microbiological procedures and safety.

BSL-1 laboratories represent the entry point to biological research and education, emphasizing safe laboratory habits and basic containment for organisms that pose negligible risk to human health.