Biological Safety Lab Supplies

The following is a list of examples of safety equipment and accessories that meet university policy requirements for work with biological materials. These items and suitable alternatives can be purchased from distributors such as Fisher Scientific, VWR, Sigma, and BioExpress. A list of vendors and catalog numbers are provided.

Need some advice on a product? Reach out to the Biosafety Group.

Managing Lab Waste

The following items are needed for managing lab waste:

Spore Vials: must be one of the following species Geobacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus atrophaeus or Bacillus subtilis. Use the biological integrator once a month at the center of a waste or mock waste load to confirm attainment of sterilization conditions.
- Steris S3060
- VWR 56614-626, 56222-090

Step Cans: must be lidded, leakproof, and labeled has biohazard waste.
- Grainger-Beige Cans (BSL1) 5M875,6GAJ5
- Grainger- Red Cans (BSL2) 3U647, 6GAJ6

Waste bags: constructed of material that is safe to autoclave. Clear bags are approved for BSL1 labs and orange bags are to be used for BSL2 labs.
- VWR- Orange Bags (BSL2) 14220-052, Clear Bags (BSL1) 14220-042
- Fisher- Orange Bags (BSL2) 01-814C, 01-826-7

Vacuum Line Protection

In-line HEPA filters protect house vacuum lines from contamination. HEPA filters remove 99.97% of 3.mm particles.

HEPA Filters:
- MilliporeSigma SLFG025LS

Centrifuge Safety

These tools prevent aerosols of high-risk samples from being generated during centrifugation and allow samples to be safely opened in a biosafety cabinet. Safety cups are specific to the centrifuge. Check for part availability from manufacturer. Tubes with o-ring seals should be used during centrifugation of risk group 2 material if safety cups are not available.

Centrifuge Cap with Sealing Ring
- 15 mL - VWR 21008-089
- 50 mL - VWR 21008-169
- Corning 1.5 mL, Fisher 05-538-71A
Nalgene sealing cap
- Standard 15 mL conical tubes, Sigma-Aldrich C6062-2EA

Culture Contamination

Vented with .2mm pore filter for culturing risk group 2 organisms. Disposables simplify waste clean-up. Eliminates risk of broken glass.

Corning Disposable Erlenmeyer Flask
- Fisher 431144
Corning Cell Culture Flask
- Fisher 430641U
Nalgene Vented HDPE Closure for Sterile Single Use Erlenmeyer Flasks
- Thermo 4114-0045

Bunsen Burner Alternatives

Continuous flames in cabinet disrupt airflow leading to potential contamination of user and biological material. Heat from flame can damage cabinet and HEPA filter.

Bacti-Cinerator,
- Fisher 22-630-005; 22630001
MicroBead Sterilizer
- Fisher 14955340
Burner Touch-O-Matic
- Fisher NC9891325

Needle Safety

Safe handling of sharps is essential in preventing needlestick injuries. Needles must not be re-capped and disposed of promptly after use in a sharps waste container. Luer-lock syringes have a secure attachment that reduces likelihood of leakage or accidental detachment during use. Re-sheathing needles with safety glides provide a safer option if needles must be recapped. The gliding mechanism allows for the needle to be re-sheathed while keeping fingers away from needle.

Luer-Lock Syringe,
- Fisher 14-817-142
BD SafetyGlide Hypodermic Needle
- Fisher 14-829-12
- VWR BD305909
BD Eclipse Needle with Hinge Technology
- BD 305761
- VWR BD305782

Eye Wash

All eyewash installations should be compliant with the Virginia Tech Design and Construction Standard. The design and installation of all eyewashes must meet ANSI Z358.1-2014.

HAWs Eyepod
- Grainger Item 11L739

Disposable Scalpels

Always handle scalpels with care to avoid injuries. Use disposable safety scalpels with fixed blades and retractable sheaths when possible. If you must use reusable scalpels, never remove the blade by hand.

Aspen disposable safety scalpel with protected blade
- VWR 80094-086
Retractable safety scalpel
- Fisher 50371503CS