Agent Biosafety Level (BSL) Requirements and Laboratory Exposure Risk

How to Subscribe
Individual course$25Add to cart
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Preliminary Identification of the Primary Select Agents of Bioterrorism (retired 9/7/2022). Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Preliminary Identification of the Primary Select Agents of Bioterrorism (retired 9/7/2022) (online CE course)
Agent Biosafety Level (BSL) Requirements and Laboratory Exposure Risk

These agents are dangerous, highly virulent organisms that should NEVER be manipulated on an open bench! Laboratory infections can occur and the use of a class II, or higher, biological safety cabinets (BSC) is critical when aerosols are likely.
The importance of following facility specific safety protocols and standard microbiology practices at ALL times cannot be understated.
Agent
Biosafety Level
Laboratory Exposure Risk
B. anthracis
BSL-2
Low
Y. pestis
BSL-2/3
Medium
F. tularensis
BSL-2/3
High
Brucella species
BSL-2/3
High
Burkholderia species
BSL-2/3
High