Manipulations potentially generating biological aerosols must be performed within certified Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs), these procedures may include, but are not limited to:

• centrifuging
• grinding
• blending
• vigorous shaking or mixing
• sonic disruption (sonication)
• opening containers of infectious materials with internal pressures that may differ from ambient pressures
• in vivo administration of agents via intranasal or gavage procedures
• harvesting infected tissues from animals or embryonated eggs

For updated information on how to operate your BSC, please follow the:

SOP for Safe Use of Biological Safety Cabinets

Annual certification by a qualified contractor is required for all BSC’s at VCU in addition to after initial installation, repairs/maintenance, or after the BSC is moved to a new location.