ACTIVITY 9 – Biosafety and Biosecurity
INTRODUCTION
It is imperative to understand that microbiological agents such as bacteria, fungi, protozoans,
microalgae, and acellular microbes such as viruses, viroids, virusoids, and prions, have distinct
their biological, physical, and ecological attributes. Therefore, it is also a must to understand that
aside form these are naturally part of the Earth’s ecosystem, these microbial agents have their
risks and threats brought primarily by human interferences and mishandling of them. Thus
“biological safety” or simply “Biosafety”, and “biological security” or simply “Biosecurity” are a
crucial part of Microbiology subject where the concepts, procedures, and protocols are being
studied and implemented to avoid contamination and hazards of microbes to the environment and
human society.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:
1) Appreciate the basic concepts of biological safety and biological security; and,
2) Apply the principles of biosafety and biosecurity in laboratory and even daily life.
ACTIVITY/ASSESSMENT
Figure 1. The universal sign of “biohazard”, about biosafety and biosecurity issues (left). The
biosafety level (BSL) is categorized from 1 to 4, where BSL-1 are microbes which posed the
lowest health and ecological risks, while BSL- 4 posed the highest risks to public health and
ecosystem. (Image from US-CDC).
It is imperative for students who studies microbiology to follow basic aseptic and decontamination
procedures not only in the laboratory but also in workplace, homes, etc. So the students must be
GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY laboratory
familiar with the basic concepts of biosafety and biosecurity. Biosafety focus on the study of
microbiological, ecological, technological and medical concepts and principles, and their
applications in practices and technologies, to prevent accidental release of pathogens and toxins
to the environment and human society. Meanwhile, Biosecurity focuses on protection and
controlling measures and protocols of individuals in involved facilities and establishments, to
prevent mishandling and potential deliberate release of microbial agents.
Table 1. Biosafety level microbes and risks (Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical
Laboratories, 5th Edition).
Biosafety level Risks of infection or
Example of Microbes
(BSL) contamination
Minimal potential hazard
microbes like Saccharomyces These microbes do not cause any
BSL 1 cerevisiae, non-pathogenic disease in immunocompetent and
strains of Escherichia coli, healthy individuals
Bacillus subtilis
These microbes causes infection
Pathogenic strains of Escherichia
and disease, classified as BSL 2 as
coli, Salmonella enterica
they are manageable and can be
(Salmonellosis), Hepatitis viruses
treated. Transmission via
(A,B, and C), Human
aerosol/droplets with microbes’
BSL 2 immunodeficiency virus (HIV-
inhalation/ingestion, fluid contact
AIDS), Candida albicans (fungi),
with mucous membrane (eyes,
Plasmodium sp. (Malaria),
mouth etc.), wounds (puncture,
Infectious Prions (Mad Cow
lacerations from contaminated
disease etc.)
objects etc.)
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19),
These microbes causes very severe
Rabies virus (Rabies),
infection and disease. Like in BSL 2,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
but the most concern is the risks
BSL 3 (tuberculosis), Yersinia pestis
due to transmission via
(plague), Histoplasma
aerosol/droplets with microbes’
capsulatum (fungi causing
inhalation/ingestion.
Histoplasmosis)
Marburg virus (Marburg virus These microbes causes very
disease), Lassa virus (Lassa virulent and lethal infection and
BSL 4 hemorrhagic fever), Ebola virus disease. Like in BSL 3, but the most
(Ebola virus disease), Reston concern is the risks due to aerosols
ebolavirus (deadly to primates) and air-borne transmission.
Table 2. Relation of risks groups to biosafety levels, practices and equipment. (Adapted from
Mwebia, et al. 2014.)
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Minimum
Biosafety Basic safety and security
Laboratory type laboratory
level (BSL) materials/equipment
practices (LP)
Standard cleaning with
Handwashing,
disinfectants (soap, bleach,
Basic teaching, Aseptic technique,
alcohol); Open bench work;
Basic – BSL 1 research (civilian or Good
Workers performing must be
military facility) microbiological
supervised by a trained and
techniques (GMT)
competent personnel
LP in BSL 1 plus
protective clothing,
Open bench plus Biosafety
biohazard sign,
Cabinet (BSC) for potential
special waste
Primary health aerosols (microbes carried by
disposal; controlled
services, fine droplets that can be
handling of
diagnostic carried by air);
Basic – BSL 2 microbial agents as
services, research decontamination tools
needed only in the
(civilian or military (autoclave); Authorized
procedures;
facility) persons with proper training
relevant
under the supervision of a
decontamination
competent personnel
procedures
enforced
BSL 2 plus special Class III BSC and/or other
Special health and
protective clothing, primary devices/tools as in
diagnostic
Containment – directional airflow, ; BSL 2; confined room with its
services, research
BSL 3 controlled access own highly efficient filtration
(civilian or military
(ID and system; Strict control of access
facility)
authorization) of authorized personnel
BSL 3 plus airlock
Class III BSC; Positive
Dangerous entry, exit showers;
Maximum Pressure Suits; double-ended
pathogen units strict
containment – autoclaved (through the wall);
(civilian or military implementation of
BSL 4 highest biosecurity measures
facility) all decontamination
are established
procedures
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ACTIVITY 9
BIOSECURITY AND BIOSAFETY
Name: ______________________________________ Score: ________________
Course, Year & Section: _______________________ Date: _________________
In a separate short white bond paper, write all the questions and answers with student
name, course, year and section, and title of the activity. Kindly write the questions given
then answer.
ASSESSMENT
CONCEPT 1- Direction: Fill out the table below with appropriate “Laboratory types” and
“Practices and Procedures” describing each Biosafety levels.
Biosafety Risk Laboratory Type Practice and Procedure
level Group
1 1 Basic Teaching 5. ___________________
1. ___________________ 6. ___________________
2 2 Good Microbial Technique
2. ___________________
7. ___________________
3. ___________________
8. ___________________
Research
Biosafety cabinet for potential
aerosol
3 3 4. ___________________ BS Level 2 +
9. ___________________
Research
10. ___________________
11. ___________________
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4 4 Dangerous Pathogen Units BS Level 3 +
12. ___________________
13. ___________________
14. ___________________
15. ___________________
16. ___________________
17. ___________________
18. ___________________
“Risk Groups 19.____________ BUT 20._______________________________________”
CONCEPT 2 - Direction: Write “BIOSAFE” if the stated procedure or scenario describes
Biosafety; write “BIOSEC” if the stated procedure or scenario describes Biosecurity or
write “BOTH” if the given procedure or scenario describe both Biosafety and Biosecurity
______________1) Proper Donning and Doffing of PPE
______________2) Access ID’s are provided to scientists
______________3) Biometrics implementation and records
______________4) Terrorists released Anthrax spores to the public via using postal mail
services
______________5) Container of pathogen was tampered during transport
______________6) Installation of autoclaves for decontamination of laboratory waste
______________7) Sensitive laboratory data are encrypted in a cloud
______________8) Production, purification and selling of Clostridium botulinum toxin in the
black market
______________9) Facilities offering services for molecular analysis always dispose the
samples submitted to them right after each analysis
_____________10) Availability of eyewash station and anteroom in the laboratory
_____________11) Laboratory is located far from communities
_____________12) Wearing face masks and face shield in a public area during a pandemic
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_____________13) Used Rapid test kits and syringes are disposed properly and
decontaminated
_____________14) Total lockdown of a zone in the city due to confirmed outbreak of an
infectious disease
_____________15) Contact tracing of individuals exposed to a confirmed infected person
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