title: Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 3. Aerobiology.
abstract: Aerosol or inhalational studies of high-consequence pathogens have recently been increasing in number due to the perceived threat of intentional aerosol releases or unexpected natural aerosol transmission. Specific laboratories designed to perform these experiments require tremendous engineering controls to provide a safe and secure working environment and constant systems maintenance to sustain functionality. Class III biosafety cabinets, also referred to as gloveboxes, are gas-tight enclosures with non-opening windows. These cabinets are maintained under negative pressure by double high-efficiency-particulate-air (HEPA)-filtered exhaust systems and are the ideal primary containment for housing aerosolization equipment. A well planned workflow between staff members within high containment from, for instance, an animal biosafety level-4 (ABSL-4) suit laboratory to the ABSL-4 cabinet laboratory is a crucial component for successful experimentation. For smooth study execution, establishing a communication network, moving equipment and subjects, and setting up and placing equipment, requires staff members to meticulously plan procedures prior to study initiation. Here, we provide an overview and a visual representation of how aerobiology research is conducted at the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA, within an ABSL-4 environment.
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: J Kyle
authors: JK
authors: Bohannon
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Krisztina
authors: K
authors: Janosko
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Michael R
authors: MR
authors: Holbrook
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Barr
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Pusl
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Bollinger
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Coe
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Lisa E
authors: LE
authors: Hensley
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Peter B
authors: PB
authors: Jahrling
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Jiro
authors: J
authors: Wada
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH); kuhnjens@mail.nih.gov.
authors: Jens H
authors: JH
authors: Kuhn
authors: Integrated Research Facility at Frederick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
authors: Matthew G
authors: MG
authors: Lackemeyer
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000392:Air Movements; D000818:Animals; D003142:Communication; D003264:Containment of Biohazards; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols