OPERATOR'S MANUAL BIOPROtect II Vent to ... - Baker Company

About the HEPA FiltersThe HEPA filter is one of the essential components of a biological safety cabinet. It is the shield whichstands between the environment and the experimental agent. Some questions that the user should askregarding the use of chemical agents in the BIOPROtect II are as follows:1. Are these chemicals, either singly or in combination, able to attack filter components?2. Are these chemicals potentially toxic to the operator? Is there any combination of two or morewhich could be toxic? If the cabinet is being correctly used and only the operator’s hands and armsare inside the machine, then toxicity or irritation could occur through skin penetration. A properevaluation of toxicity must deal not only with onetime exposure, but also with the effect of manysmall exposures over a period of time.3. Are these chemicals explosive or flammable? If so, they should never be used in your cabinet. Witha buildup caused by recirculation of air, an explosion can be the result of a motor spark or a burneroperation in the work area.4. In cases where chemical carcinogens, mutagens or teratogens are to be used, the risks should becarefully weighed in choosing a cabinet. Where the exhaust effluent contains a contaminant, it mayneed treatment.5. The life of a filter is determined by how it is used and how often. Under normal laboratoryconditions, you can expect up to five years of use. However, misuse or a heavy dust load within thecabinet will shorten any filter’s lifetime. Bunsen burners and misuse of chemicals will also shortenthe useful life.Page 15 of 54