Book traversal links for Use of Open Flames in a Biosafety Cabinet ‹ Protection of Vacuum Systems Used in Tissue Culture Work Up UV Lights in Biosafety Cabinets › The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that “open flames are not required in the near microbe free environment of a biological safety cabinet”. Several major BSC manufacturers and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended against the use of gas burners or alcohol flames within a cabinet. Open flames: disrupt air flow, compromising integrity of your research materials and protection of the worker. result in excessive heat buildup, possibly leading to damage of HEPA filters. present a potential fire or explosion hazard. could inactivate manufacturer’s warranties on the cabinet. In the event of a fire, explosion of worker exposure due to use of a flammable gas in the cabinet, cabinet manufacturers will assume no liability. If you believe that you must use a flame inside the cabinet, consider these alternatives to continuous burning flames: Bacticinerator for sterilization of loops and needles http://www.leica-microsystems.com/ Touch-O-Matic provides flame only when needed http://www2.lbl.gov/ehs/ Safety Lab Gas Burner: reduces airflow disturbances. Unit can be operated with touch-free DoubleClick IR-Sensor, button, or foot pedal. http://www.cleanair.eu/ Book traversal links for Use of Open Flames in a Biosafety Cabinet ‹ Protection of Vacuum Systems Used in Tissue Culture Work Up UV Lights in Biosafety Cabinets › Staff Meagan Fitzpatrick Biosafety Officer 609-258-6258 Halina Staniszewska, Sr. Lab Safety Specialist