title: Physical protection against airborne pathogens and pollutants by a novel animal isolator in a level 3 containment laboratory.
abstract: A containment laboratory unit for research with aerosols of group 2 pathogenic microorganisms is described. The design criteria are based on current UK guidelines, which imply containment at group 3 level during aerosol production, storage, exposure of animals and sampling. Within the aerosol laboratory, primary containment is provided by a Henderson apparatus operating at a negative pressure to the external environment. Flexible film isolators under negative pressure are used for all hazardous microbiological work, e.g. tissue homogenization, and for housing infected laboratory rodents. A novel feature of the animal isolator is the separate ventilation of each cage, which minimizes the risk of cross-infection by aerosol transmission and ensures a similar environment within each cage. The results of an intentional release of a cloud of non-pathogenic microorganisms are presented to show the effectiveness of the containment barriers. Recommendations are given for the safe operation of a containment unit based upon practical experience.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Department of Animal Husbandry, Langford.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wathes
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000397:Air Pollution; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000254:growth & development; D003264:Containment of Biohazards; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D051379:Mice; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols