BioSafety Level (BSL)

Biosafety Levels (BSL) are a system of containment practices and facilities used to protect people, the environment, and the laboratory from infectious agents. There are four BSLs, each with specific safety measures that increase in strictness. BSL-1 deals with well-understood microbes that pose minimal risk, while BSL-4 deals with highly dangerous agents that can cause severe or fatal diseases, like Ebola. The level chosen depends on the pathogen's risk and how it spreads, ensuring appropriate precautions are taken to prevent exposure and maintain safety in research and medical contexts.