Envirco NSF Biohazard Cabinet - Manual (Page 36)

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XXII. RISK LEVELS, CLASSIFICATION
Low Risk
The risk level of the agents and/or the operation has minimal effect on personnel,
animals, or plants under ordinary conditions. This classification is restricted to all
etiological agents designated Class I by the U.S. Department of HEW, Center for
Disease Control.
Moderate Risk
The risk level of the agents and/or the operations requires special conditions for
control or containment because of:
1. Known pathogenicity to personnel, animals, or plants.
2. Concentration.
3. Genetic alterations and synergistic effects with other materials.
This classification includes all etiologic agents designated Class II or Class III by the
U.S. Department of HEW, Center for Disease Control and oncogenic viruses
specified as moderate risk by the National Cancer Institute.
High Risk
The risk level of the agents and/or the operations requires additional control
measures beyond those for moderate risk. These are agents or operations with any
of the following characteristics:
1. Infections can be produced by low doses.
2. Pose a high mortality risk.
3. May potentially spread outside the laboratory.
4. Dangerous concentrations.
5. May release microbial aerosols.
6. May result in genetic alteration or genetic recombination that significantly
increase the potential for pathogenicity or spread.
This classification includes all etiological agents designated Classes IV and V by
the U.S. Department of HEW, Center for Disease Control, and oncogenic viruses
classified as high risk by the National Cancer Institute.