A containment facility is a specialised space which ensures that materials within the area do not migrate from the facility to the general environment. The containment facility may be a cleanroom, but additionally have additional controls and standards to handle the materials effectively within.
Containment facilities are used to handle live viruses and bacteria such as COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) and many other sensitive materials such as genetically modified organisms and materials governed by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), cytotoxic materials, steroids, hormones, and beta-lactams (i.e., penicillin).
The classification of containment facilities is different depending on the usage of the area. There are many different containment methodologies, these are:
1) Physical containment (PC 1-4), requires certification in Australia by the OGTR,
2) Biological Containment (Biological Safety Levels, the four biosafety levels are BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4, with BSL-4 being the highest (maximum) level of containment. BSL-4 facilities are typically designed to handle materials such as the viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) group of diseases comprises Lassa fever (LF), Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever, Ebola and Marburg virus infections. There are additional specific rules and designations for animal research (ABSL), agricultural research (BSL-Ag), and other types of research,
3) Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology – requires the suitable design of the facility to safely handle and control materials which have a low therapeutic dose (High potency) (i.e., cytotoxic compounds, beta-lactams, poisons, steroids, and hormones). The evaluation and design are based on toxicological data for the materials used or made in the process and containment levels are based on the potential therapeutic dose. Facility design and engineering controls are used to limit exposure to staff and environment. PPE is a last resort in contamination control. These facilities are commonly referred to as high potency facilities. The acceptable levels are specified and governed by SafeWork Australia. References for the contamination control for industrial hygiene applications are.
a. Toxicologist,
b. Safe Work Australia,
c. Safe Bridge,
d. ISPE Risk MAPP,
e. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – USA.
