Some types of laboratory equipment are necessary to be able to work, such as work benches. Others, such as biosafety cabinets and fume hoods, are necessary to survive. Depending on the materials you are working with, regulations may even require you to have a biosafety cabinet and fume hood. Here are a few reasons why.
Biosafety Cabinets are Crucial for Working with Biohazards
If your laboratory routinely works with biohazardous materials such as pathogens and viruses, you need to have a biosafety cabinet and fume hood. It is the only way to prevent infection and cross-contamination when working with such materials.
There are four different classes of biosafety cabinets, so make sure that you research and find the right one for your materials. All biosafety cabinets have advanced filtration systems.
Fume Hoods are Crucial for Working with Chemicals
On the other hand, fume hoods are used when working with chemicals. They prevent inhalation and other interactions with potentially dangerous chemicals with the use of a hood that whisks away vapors before anyone in the lab can inhale them.
When You Will Need Both
If your lab works with biohazards and chemicals, you will need both a biosafety cabinet and fume hood. The two have different systems for managing contamination—for example, fume hoods rarely have HEPA filters, which is a vital feature of biosafety cabinets. Double-check standards for your lab to see if you need one or both pieces of equipment.
