
Biosafety Level BSL 1
INDIVIDUAL RISK: None/Low
RCOMMUNITY RISK: None/Low
Virus: Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli (non-pathogenic strains)
- Unlikely to cause human disease.
Processing of material containing well-characterised infectious agents with minimal biological risk, not associated with disease in immunocompetent persons
Basic containment level
• Standard microbiological practices (NO smoking, food, drink, caution with sharp objects, safety manual, accident and accidental exposure logs)
• Standard personal protective equipment: lab coat, gloves and eye protection in some cases
• Non-specific facility requirements (controlled access, hand washing sink, waterproof and durable floors and work surfaces that are easy to clean and decontaminate, adequate lighting)

Biosafety Level BSL 2
INDIVIDUAL RISK: moderate
COMMUNITY RISK: Limited
Virus: S. pyogenes, Herpesviridae, HBV, HCV, HIV
- Can cause human disease
- Might be a hazard to workers
- Unlikely to spread to the community
- There is usually effective prophylaxis or treatment available
Processing of material containing indigenous infectious agents with moderate biological risk present in the community, associated with human diseases of varying severity
Basic containment level
• Standard microbiological practices
• Specific practices (biohazard sign, access restricted to authorised persons, separate disposal of infectious waste, immunisation programme)
• Standard personal protective equipment: lab coat, gloves and for some procedures mask and goggles
• Biosafety equipment (BSC-1/2 for procedures that may create aerosols/splatter)
• Facility requirements (doors with locks, sink with hands-free operations, eyewash sink, autoclave, recommended mechanical ventilation with inward airflow without recirculation

Biosafety Level BSL 3
INDIVIDUAL RISK: High
COMMUNITY RISK: Limited/Moderate
Virus: M. tuberculosis, Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, MERS/SARS-CoV
- Can cause human disease
- Can present a serious hazard to workers
- May present a risk of spreading to the community
- There is usually effective prophylaxis or treatment available
– Processing of material containing indigenous or exotic RG3 infectious agents with possible airborne transmission, associated with serious human disease.
– Processing of material with high concentrations of RG2 agents that may be spread by aerosol
High containment level
• Standard microbiological practices
• Specific practices (laboratory supervisor controlling access, handling of material under a hood)
• Standard personal protective equipment: urological lab coat, headgear, specific footwear, shoe covers, respiratory PPE for some procedures. All PPE must be removed and decontaminated before leaving the laboratory

Biosafety Level BSL 4
INDIVIDUAL RISK: High
COMMUNITY RISK: High
Virus: Filovirus (Ebola, Marburg) Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever vírus Lassa vírus Variola virus
- Causes severe human disease
- Present a serious hazard to workers
- High risk of spreading to the community
- There is usually no effective prophylaxis or treatment available
Processing of material containing well-characterised infectious agents with minimal biological risk, not associated with disease in immunocompetent persons
Maximum containment level
Necessary structural, professional and organizational requirements peculiar for the handling of materials containing GR4 agents