Biosafety levels are critical in ensuring the safety of individuals working in research labs, healthcare facilities, and other industries that involve handling hazardous materials. In this blog, we will dive deep into the four biosafety levels and their significance, helping you better understand how to protect yourself and others while working with hazardous materials.
This level represents the lowest level of biosafety and is designed for very low-risk agents that do not pose a significant hazard to humans or the environment. Examples of such agents include non-pathogenic strains of E.coli and Bacillus subtilis. This level of containment only requires minimal personal protective equipment such as lab coats, gloves, and safety glasses to protect against splashes or spills.
This level is designed for moderate-risk agents that pose a moderate threat to human health. Examples of such agents include Mycobacterium, Streptococcus pneumonia, and Salmonella choleraesuis. BSL-2 requires additional safety precautions including the use of a biosafety cabinet, disposable gloves, and eye protection. All work is done under biological safety cabinets or other physical containment devices.
This level is designed for high-risk pathogens that pose a significant threat to human health. Examples of such agents include tuberculosis, anthrax, and West Nile virus. BSL-3 requires additional safety precautions such as dedicated labs, negative air pressure, and complete personal protective equipment. Examples of facilities that operate at BSL-3 include certain laboratories in research institutions, universities, and government agencies.
High-security governmental labs, such as those associated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), also maintain BSL-3 labs due to the nature of the work conducted.
This level is designated for the most dangerous pathogens that pose the highest threat to human health and do not have available treatments or vaccines. Examples of such agents include the Ebola virus and Hendra virus. BSL-4 requires the highest level of containment with full-body positive pressure suits, airlocks, and laboratories equipped with controlled ventilation systems.
Facilities that operate at BSL-4 are among the most advanced and secure laboratories globally. These include the National Microbiology Laboratory in Canada and, more specifically, the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health (CSCHAH) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Also, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), is located in Manhattan, Kansas. Moreover, the Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) is the only U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) laboratory equipped to study highly hazardous viruses at Biosafety Level 4 within positive pressure personnel suits.
Biosafety levels are critical in ensuring safety when dealing with hazardous materials. It's important to be fully aware of the different levels of protection and protocols that come with them. When working with hazardous materials, it's crucial to take precautions and follow the protocols in place to ensure the safety of everyone potentially exposed.
Bio-One of Marion County is the premier biohazard cleanup and remediation service provider in Indianapolis. Our highly trained technicians are certified to work with hazardous materials. Whether it's a crime scene cleanup or infectious disease remediation, Bio-One of Marion County has the expertise and resources to help you stay safe. We are here to quickly respond to your needs with professionalism and respect!
We have both Sandi E. and Sandy L. in the corporate office wearing Bio-One's custom masks! As COVID-19 is still very much present, Bio-One continues to wear masks. While wearing a mask isn't new in the crime scene cleaning world, now we can wear them in style in the corporate office and out in the world. Stay safe everyone!
Megan and Amanda Boccardi, owners of Bio-One of STC and Bio-One of Central MO help clean and disinfect a local gym - a St. Peter's Fitness Center. As COVID-19 is hitting the United States everyday, Bio-One continues to take action. Help first is what we do and we'll be here during this time of need.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
Someone with anxiety needs a little extra love from the people around them. Here are some things you can do.
1. Learn what anxiety looks like - people can experience anxiety in different ways. The more you know, the better you can understand and help.
2. Work through the feelings - if someone is anxious about something, you can sit down and help them figure out what might be causing those feelings. Knowing the source and figuring out possible outcomes might help put their mind at ease.
3. Don't label them - if you want to avoid worse feelings, make sure they know you don't see them as your anxiety friend. Keep your relationship about your friendship instead of always making it about their anxiety.
4. Help them get professional help if needed - sometimes going to a professional is the best way to go. Let your loved one know it's not weird or bad at all to talk to someone and that there is a chance of feeling better.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
Winter is in full force and if you live in a cold state, you may have already seen a few blizzards this year. Don't let the weather get the best of you - here are some winter safety tips.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If it seems like a good idea to start your car in the garage to warm it up, don't! It's best to open the garage and take the car out to let it warm up.
Mittens Vs. Gloves
The dexterity of gloves are handy, but mittens generate more heat from your fingers touching each other.
Traction
Keep kitty litter and rock salt in the trunk of your car to give your wheels traction in a pinch!
Canned Food
Keep some non perishables in your pantry in case the electricity goes out or a winter storm hits!
Shuffle
If you're worried about running into a patch of black ice on a cold day, shuffle your feet instead of taking long strides. Falling can sprain wrists and bruise your bum and ego.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
The holidays are about joy but if you find yourself feeling down, here are some ways to avoid that.
1. Exercise on the regular - your body has a way of balancing itself out when you give it what it needs. Make time for a 10-20 minute walk or take a swim to boost your endorphins.
2. Be aware of yourself - keep track of bad thougts going on inside. Don't let them take over and ruin your day. Try thinkig of 5 things you're thankful for instead.
3. Choose who you want to be around - maybe some of your family isn't quite a treat, even during the holidays. If someone brings you down, you don't need to spend time with them.
4. Don't look at facebook - what's worse than not experience joy? Seeing other people's joy. Just because people are posting happy pictures doessn't mean that's what their whole life is made up of. Keep your mind positive and stay off of facebook!
5. Embrace new traditions - sometimes what messes you up most the expectation you see in your head. If everything isn't how you imagined it, try embracing what's real in your life.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
When you lose a loved one, the world around you changes but the affecets you feel on the inside are so strong. After the initial shock goes away, our brains have a way of protecting us in a way that changes how we function.
Grief can affect your daily life in these ways:
Many of these functions are located in your frontal lobe and limbic system, controlling your emotions and ability to perform. If you feel like you've changed after a tragedy in your life, you may be right. Coping can be difficult, but there are resources to help you. Click here to find coping resources.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
When you know or live with someone who is struggling. It can be hard to watch. You want to know what's wrong and so do they. Sometimes we don't always know what's going on inside but we feel it. Being there for them while they figure things out or are working through a rough time in their life can be the best thing you can do.
Here's a list of ways you can be supportive.
1. Bring them food – make them a home cooked meal or bring them some yummy takeout.
2. Help with errands – maybe they just need to pick up the dry cleaning or mail a package. That's a simple task you can add to your day and take away from theirs.
3. See a movie – sometimes getting out or even staying in and watching a movie can help take some stress off your stressed loved one.
4. Ask them what you can do – we try to imagine how people need help but why not just ask?
5. Housesit or babysit – do they have kids? If so, why not watch their little ones or home while they're gone so they can catch a break.
6. Keep them company – maybe they are feeling lonely or don't want to go to an appointment by themself. Why not be with them and give them the courage and company they need.
7. Give them a thoughtful gift – maybe they haven't had the time to get their nails done or buy that special coffee they leave. Treat them.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
June is National Safety Month. This can mean a lot of different things but the type of safety we want to talk about is your personal safety from acts of violence.
T I P S
1. Make eye contact with people that concern you. Sometimes all an attacker is looking for is an easy target and they aren't interested in people that will put up a fight. They now know you've seen their face.
2. Don't be afraid to say no to politeness. If you feel uneasy about someone who stepped into the elevator, just step off. You don't have to stay on just to avoid an awkward situation.
3. Avoid parking next to vans or large vehicles that can quickly grab you as you're trying to get into your car.
4. Don't sit in your car, especially at night. Always park and get to where you are going. The longer you wait in your car, the more of a target you are.
5. Be aware of scams. If you see someone needing help on the side of the road, call 9-1-1 and keep driving. If you get pulled over alone, you are allowed to call the police and very that the person who pulled you over is a valid police officer.
6. Practice being aware. Know who is walking behind you. If you're walking alone at night, take out your headphones and get off the phone. These are all described as distracted behavior that attackers look for.
7. Escape is always the best option. Even if this means you may get hurt in the process, don't be afraid to scream, fight, and do what it takes to get away. Never let anyone take you anywhere without a fight.
A little self awareness can go a long way! The more you understand about how people are targeted, the better you can make safe decisions that will become second nature to you.
If you know of someone in need of our services, please take a look at our locations to find the nearest Bio-One office near you. Stay safe!
If you find yourself looking at a crime scene, your initial reaction may be to clean it yourself. You may want it to be gone as soon as possible and that's completely understandable. Here's some reasons why you shouldn't do that.
1. Fluids! Coming into contact with bodily fluids, especially blood, can be harmful. It can carry disease and pathogens that you just don't want on or near your body!
2. Invisible to the eye! If you don't take care of all of it, you can still recieve harmful effects. This means if you try and clean it and leave behind any traces of the scene (even germs and pathogens you can't see), your home won't be as sanitary as you think it is. You know how they say won't you don't know won't hurt you? Well in this case, it can.
3. Don't stress! While you may be worried that you can't afford crime scene cleaners, your insurance will usually take care of it! Don't let this detail keep you from getting the professionals in the door!
Never try to clean a crime scene yourself! You'll be happier, more sanitary, and less stressed when you let the professionals come take care of it. View our Bio-One locations if you need help.
