Baker articles

Abstract
Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs) are primary containment devices used to help reduce the risk of contamination to the work, the worker, and the surrounding environment. These devices have rigorous testing and certification to ensure their functional capabilities of contaminant reduction according to NSF International Standard 49 but these BSCs are always tested empty without users present in front of them for a functional baseline. However, BSC are never used in this m

Abstract
Work conducted in Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs) is a common sight in many laboratories worldwide, but some misconceptions about their capabilities sometimes arise. A BSC used for storage of materials or the air grilles or grates blocked is often observed, but no conclusive evidence has shown whether this will affect the BSCs performance.

Here we explored and tested the effect of overcrowding a cabinet as well as blocking off the front grille to determine

Abstract
Keeping a contamination free environment in the laboratory has commonly been achieved by one of two ways: a flame or a biosafety cabinet (BSC). However, it has been frequently observed that the two practices have been combined, where a heat source has been used within the BSC. As flames require flammable gasses and cause hot air to rise, it was hypothesized that these could lead to a loss of BSC Containment. Here, these practices were tested with several heat so

Abstract
Objectives: Most laboratory techniques utilize biosafety cabinets (BSCs) in order to provide contamination control of the experiments. BSCs depend on airflow and HEPA filters to remove aerosols and particulates from the environment. Aerosols may be created constantly by common lab practices, such as centrifugation, pipetting, and opening tubes. The main principals of HEPA filtration demonstrate that these airborne contaminants are captured and remain adhered by

Abstract
Most laboratory techniques utilize biosafety cabinets (BSCs) in order to provide contamination control of the experiments. BSCs depend on airflow and HEPA filters to remove contaminants from the environment. Aerosols may be created constantly by common lab practices, such as centrifugation, pipetting, and opening tubes. HEPA filters are very effective at removing various sized contaminants, but do not prevent gasses and vapors from penetrating through them.

Cell-based hypoxia studies are reliant on close control of O₂ concentration in the surrounding environment. Exposure to ambient O₂ (21%) concentrations for short or sustained periods of time can result In confounding results due to oxygen toxicity. Reduced Oz cell culture incubators and workstations are examples of adopted measures designed to reduce this oxygen toxicity and to promote consistency of observation. We have identified a further layer of complexity to this s

Abstract
Biological safety cabinets (BSCs) provide the primary source of containment for microbiological research. Laboratories that need containment and removal of vapors, mists and particulates will often choose a Class II, Type B2 total exhaust BSC (Type B2). Because this type of BSC must be totally exhausted to the outside through a facility’s HVAC system, it requires a great deal of energy to operate and can add significantly to a laboratory or facility’

The Baker Company Compounding Isolators and USP Requirements

Abstract
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has recently released an In-Process Revision to Chapter – Pharmaceutical Compounding – Sterile Preparations.1 The Baker Company conducted a study to evaluate its pharmacy isolators using the criteria presented in the In-Process Revision. The results in this paper demonstrate that the SterilSHIELD (compounding aseptic isolator

Abstract
Volatile chemicals, while typically used in a fume hood, may sometimes be used in conjunction with biological experiments which often require the use of a biosafety cabinet (BSC). While a 100% exhausted Class II Type B2 cabinet is most often mentioned as the safest option, this is not always possible or may not always be necessary. International safety standards have recommended “minute” amounts of volatiles can safely be used in an internally exhaus

When Harvard’s Biology Research Infrastructure (BRI) facility opened in 2006, they required four biological safety cabinets to provide primary containment during animal procedures. In the selection process, workspace containment and isolation requirements, operation modes for non-use periods and maintenance, building integration, and the energy burden to the building system were all considered. Choosing a cabinet that provided the level of safety required while at the same time offering