Application Note: Class II Biosafety Cabinet In A Pharmaceutical Laboratory

A Class II Biological Safety Cabinet is a device that utilizes directional airflow and HEPA filtration to protect a user, the environment and product or culture from airborne particulates. As the name implies, the particulates that are being ‘targeted' are of a biological nature: bacterial hazards, cellular hazards or their components that can also be toxic. Fortunately, the design and operation of these cabinets lend themselves to applications outside of (micro)biology.

USP 797 sets guidelines, procedures and compliance criteria for sterile compounding facilities in order to reduce the risk of infection to patients receiving drugs, and to the pharmacy personnel that prepare the product. This set of standards is important and should be studied by hospital and pharmacy administrators and clinical staff, as well as hospital design, construction and facilities support professionals.