Laminar flow cabinet

{{Short description|Type of laboratory equipment used to prevent contamination of samples}} {{Infobox laboratory equipment |name = Laminar flow cabinet |image = Laminar flow cabinet Microbiology Department.jpg |alt =  |caption = Laminar flow cabinet |acronym = |other_name = Laminar flow hood<br/>Laminar flow closet |uses = Particulate removal |inventor = |manufacturer = |model = |related =Biosafety cabinet<br>Fume hood }} thumb|Preparation of microbiological samples in a laminar chamber A '''laminar flow cabinet''' or '''tissue culture hood''' is a partially enclosed bench work surface designed to prevent contamination of biological samples, semiconductor wafer, or any particle-sensitive materials. Air is drawn through a HEPA filter and blown in a very smooth laminar flow in a narrow vertical curtain, separating the interior of the cabinet from the environment around it. The cabinet is usually made of stainless steel with no gaps or joints where spores might collect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laminarflows.co.uk/|title=Types of Laminar Flow Cabinets – Uses and Benefits – Information Guide|website=www.laminarflows.co.uk|access-date=19 April 2018|archive-date=11 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111115930/http://laminarflows.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Despite their similar appearance, a laminar flow cabinet should not to be confused with a fume hood. A laminar flow cabinet blows unfiltered exhaust air towards the worker and is not safe for work with pathogenic agents,<ref name="CDC2000">{{cite book|last1=U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|last2=U.S. National Institutes of Health|title=Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation and Use of Biological Safety Cabinets|publisher=U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|year=2000|url=https://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/pdffiles/BSC-3.pdf}}</ref>{{rp|13}}<ref name="UPenn2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.ehrs.upenn.edu/programs/bio/biologicalsafetycabinets/cleanbenches.html|title=Clean Benches vs. Biosafety Cabinets|author=University of Pennsylvania|date=November 6, 2009|access-date=April 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611221045/http://www.ehrs.upenn.edu/programs/bio/biologicalsafetycabinets/cleanbenches.html|archive-date=June 11, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> while a fume hood maintains negative pressure with constant exhaust to protect the user, but does not protect the work materials from contamination by the surrounding environment.

A biosafety cabinet is also easily-confused with a laminar flow cabinet, but like the fume hood is primarily designed to protect the worker rather than the biological samples. This is achieved by drawing surrounding air in and exhausting it through a HEPA filter to remove potentially hazardous microorganisms.

Laminar flow cabinets exist in both horizontal and vertical configurations, and there are many different types of cabinets with a variety of airflow patterns and acceptable uses. Cabinets may have a UV-C germicidal lamp to sterilize the interior and contents before use to prevent contamination of the experiment. Germicidal lamps are usually kept on for fifteen minutes to sterilize the interior before the cabinet is used. The light must be switched off when the cabinet is being used to limit exposure to skin and eyes, as stray ultraviolet light emissions can cause cancer and cataracts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=24755 |title = Workplace exposure limits for ultra-violet radiation {{!}} Occupational Safety and Health Administration}}</ref>

==See also== * Asepsis * Biosafety cabinet * Fume hood

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == #[https://web.archive.org/web/20091128200556/http://www.nsf.org/business/biosafety_accreditation/standards.asp?program=BiosafetyCabCert NSF/ANSI Standard 49]

Category:Laboratory equipment Category:Microbiology equipment Category:Ventilation