Part of the issue is the terminology being used. A lot of people use “laminar flow hood” (and other similar terms) and “biosafety cabinet” interchangeably. Both have laminar flow (describing the air flow), but one is designed to protect you and the product while the other is designed to only protect the product. The link below references a laminar flow hood that filters the air and blows it back at you. The protection is for product only (clean air always running across the product). There are lots of reasons people only need product protection. A biosafety cabinet provides a laminar flow of air but also ensures all the “exhaust air” goes through a HEPA filter before being exhausted. If you expect this is going to protect you and the product, it should be designed consistent with the National Sanitation Foundation 49 standard for biosafety cabinets. Of course, you also have to determine if the HEPA filter is going to protect you (e.g. anesthetic gas in a BSC). Here’s a case study describing an incident that isn’t all that uncommon, unfortunately:

http://safety.dri.edu/Hazards/LessonsLearned/laminar_flow.pdf

Thanks to the Desert Research Institute for publishing lessons learned information!!!

Best,

Erik

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Monona Rossol
Sent: Friday, November 08, 2013 12:18 PM
To: DCHAS-L Discussion List
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] laminar flow hood purchase

Shelly,

    From what I have seen, the Laminar Flow Hoods are one of the best on the 

market.  Performing Lockout/Tagout audits, I see a lot of the bench top vertical 

models.  Here is a link for your viewing.

www.laboratory-supply.net/laminarflowhoods/shop_vertical_laminar_flow_hood_4feet.html?gclid=CI2kq_eL07oCFTJp7Aodsz4AAA

I hope this helps you out.

Respectfully,

Mark C. Lee

Safety Manager Specialist

Lockout/Tagout Specialist

> On Nov 7, 2013, at 10:11 AM, "Bradley, Shelly" <Bradley**At_Symbol_Here**HENDRIX.EDU> wrote:

> 

> One of my faculty is interested in a laminar flow hood. I know nothing about 

them.

> What do I need to know?

> Are the self-contained ones any good?

> Which brands are best?

> 

> Thanks for your help!!

> 

> Shelly Bradley

> NRCC-CHO

> Authorized OSHA Trainer

> Instrumentation Specialist

> Laboratory Development Assistant

> Campus Chemical Compliance Director

> Department of Chemistry

> Hendrix College

> Conway, AR 72032

> Ph:    (501) 450-3812

> Fax:    (501) 450-3829

> bradley**At_Symbol_Here**hendrix.edu