What is one type of certified containment equipment used in biosafety?

• A. Autoclaves
• B. Centrifuges
• C. Biosafety cabinets
• D. Incubators

Answer: (C)

Biosafety cabinets are a type of certified containment equipment specifically designed to provide a safe environment for working with biological materials that may pose a risk to health. They create a sterile workspace through the use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that capture airborne contaminants, thereby protecting both the user and the environment from potential exposure to hazardous biological agents.

These cabinets are designed to prevent the escape of aerosols and other potentially infectious materials while providing a controlled environment for procedures involving pathogens. They are classified into different types based on their design and air flow characteristics, ensuring that they meet specific safety standards regulated by organizations like the CDC and NIH.

In contrast, while autoclaves, centrifuges, and incubators are essential tools in various biological and clinical procedures, they do not serve the same purpose as biosafety cabinets. Autoclaves are used for sterilization, centrifuges for separating substances at high speeds, and incubators are utilized for growing cultures under controlled conditions, but none of these offer the same level of containment and protection for the user and the environment when handling potentially infectious materials.