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USING OPEN FLAMES IN BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINETS

 

The Department of EHRS at the University of Pennsylvania has taken a strong stance against the use of gas burners or alcohol flames in Biosafety cabinets.

Biosafety Cabinets that are disconnected from existing gas supply during repair or relocation should not be reconnected.

This decision is in accordance with recommendations from numerous agencies.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that “open-flames are not required in the near microbe-free environment of a biological safety cabinet” and create “turbulence which disrupts the pattern of air supplied to the work surface” jeopardizing the sterility of the work area.  This is also the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the major Biosafety cabinet manufacturers.

 

Solutions

  •  Remove Bunsen burners and/or replace with alternative technology such as electric incinerators

 

  • Use disposable loops, spreaders, and other instruments

 

  • Autoclave instruments such as tweezers, scissors and scalpels

 

  • Reduce the amount of flammable chemicals in the cabinet.  Use only enough alcohol for one day’s work.

 

  • If it is deemed absolutely necessary for the work being done, use a pilotless burner or touch-plate microburner to provide a flame on demand