Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

Which biosafety level includes organisms that could cause harm if ingested or injected?

1. Biosafety Level 1

2. Biosafety Level 2

3. Biosafety Level 3

4. Biosafety Level 4

The correct answer is: Biosafety Level 2

Biosafety Level 2 is indeed the appropriate classification for organisms that can cause harm if ingested or injected. This level is designated for agents that pose a moderate risk to both the laboratory personnel and the environment. It includes pathogens that can lead to diseases in humans and are typically transmitted through various routes, including ingestion and injection. At this level, laboratory work requires certain safety practices, including the use of personal protective equipment such as gloves and lab coats, and the implementation of specific containment methods to minimize the risk of exposure. Additionally, facilities working with Biosafety Level 2 organisms must have certain safety features, such as handwashing facilities and autoclaves for sterilizing contaminated materials. In contrast, the other biosafety levels represent different degrees of risk and containment measures. For instance, Biosafety Level 1 pertains to organisms that pose minimal risk to healthy adults and do not typically cause disease, while Levels 3 and 4 deal with agents that pose serious or lethal risks, often requiring extreme containment measures and specialized facilities.