Laminar Flow Hoods & Biosafety Cabinets

Laminar Flow Hoods & Biosafety Cabinets

The Class I cabinet has the most basic and rudimentary design of all biological safety cabinetry available today. A stream of inward air moving into the cabinet contains aerosols generated during microbiological manipulations. It then passes through a filtration system that traps all airborne particles and contaminants. Finally, clean and decontaminated air is exhausted from the cabinet. The filtration system usually consists of a pre-filter and a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.

Although the Class I cabinet protects the operator and the environment from exposure to biohazards, it does not prevent samples being handled in the cabinet from coming into contact with airborne contaminants that may be present in room air. Naturally, there is a possibility of cross-contamination that may affect experimental consistency. Consequently, the scope and application of Class I cabinets is limited, and it is largely considered obsolete.