Principle of Containment, Setup and Basic Equipment of a Microbiological Laboratory

Vocabulary flashcards covering primary and secondary containment principles, PPE specifications, laboratory design standards, and basic safety equipment for microbiological laboratories.

Primary containment (Primary barriers)

The first line of defense that encapsulates an infectious agent (such as an animal, person, or sample) to protect personnel and the immediate laboratory environment.

Culture vessel

A basic primary containment container, such as a cotton-plugged test tube, used to isolate and enclose an infectious culture.

HEPA filter

A high-efficiency particulate air filter positioned in exhaust pipes or biological safety cabinets to capture infectious agents as close to the source as possible.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Items such as coats, gloves, eye protection, and respirators that complement primary barriers to prevent human skin contact or inhalation of biological, chemical, or physical hazards.

Nitrile gloves

Protective handwear chosen when handling chemicals that degrade rubber surgical gloves (such as xylene) or substances that penetrate them (such as the carcinogenic DNA stain ethidium-bromide).

Disposable polyester "wrap around" gowns

Protective apparel featuring a continuous solid front for splash protection, which will melt if brought into contact with heat.

$100\%$ cotton laboratory coats

Flame-resistant and chemically nonreactive lab coats that have front buttons, which can leave underlying outdoor clothing exposed to contamination.

Secondary containment

A combination of facility design and operational practices designed to protect the external environment of the laboratory from contamination.

Ancillary laboratories

Support facilities—such as scullery rooms, media preparation rooms, and sterilization rooms—that must be physically separated from main research and educational laboratories.

Laboratory door width requirement

A structural specification requiring doors to be a minimum of $1\,\text{m}$ wide to accommodate the entry and movement of anticipated equipment.

BSL 3 and 4 laboratory design

High-containment facility designs governed by strict regulations, including fixed windows, changing rooms with hygienic showers, air lock systems, and separate access facilities with two sets of doors.

Biofilm

An infectious microbial accumulation that readily forms when laboratory surfaces remain continuously wet due to vapor condensation or refrigerator/sink dripping.

Utility traps

Protective plumbing or line devices installed in systems like centralized vacuums to prevent the transmission and spread of infectious agents.

Terminal sterilization equipment

A dedicated instrument, such as an autoclave or dry air sterilizer, specifically designated for sterilizing infectious or contaminated materials prior to final disposal.

Controlled access

An electronic security measure, typically utilizing card-key monitoring, to restrict entry and isolate microbiological laboratories from general-access building areas.