What is a class II biological safety cabinet (BSC) designed to protect?

• A. The work being done in the BSC
• B. The personnel using the BSC
• C. The environment
• D. The work being done in the BSC, the personnel using the BSC, and the environment

Answer: (D)

A Class II biological safety cabinet is designed to provide protection for the material inside, the people using it, and the surrounding environment. It does this with a controlled airflow and HEPA filtration: room air is drawn in through the front, clean air is directed down over the work surface to shield the specimen, and the air inside the cabinet is filtered again before being recirculated or exhausted. The exhaust air is HEPA-filtered, so contaminants aren’t released outside the cabinet. This setup contains aerosols and contaminants, protects the user from exposure, and prevents environmental contamination, making the option that covers all three aspects the best choice.