Which of the following statements is accurate regarding laboratories working with biohazards?

• A. Personal protective equipment is optional in biohazard laboratories.
• B. Laboratories working with biohazards must follow specific biosafety levels to minimize risk.
• C. Biohazardous materials can be disposed of in regular trash bins.
• D. Biohazard laboratories do not require any special containment procedures.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of biohazards and why they require special handling. Biohazards are biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily humans. Examples include infectious agents like bacteria, viruses, and toxins.
2. Step 2: Recognize that laboratories working with biohazards must implement safety measures to protect personnel, the environment, and the community. These measures are standardized into biosafety levels (BSL), ranging from BSL-1 (lowest risk) to BSL-4 (highest risk).
3. Step 3: Know that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, lab coats, and eye protection is mandatory in biohazard laboratories to prevent exposure to harmful agents. PPE is not optional.
4. Step 4: Understand that biohazardous materials require special disposal methods, such as autoclaving or chemical disinfection, and cannot be discarded in regular trash bins to prevent contamination and spread of pathogens.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the accurate statement is that laboratories working with biohazards must follow specific biosafety levels to minimize risk, which includes mandatory PPE use, containment procedures, and proper disposal protocols.