This question is not only of concern to the patients but also to the staff in the clinics who have to regularly examine the patient samples taken for infection with the globally active COVID-19 virus.

The answer is laboratory equipment specifically designed for working with hazardous aerosols - the so-called Class II microbiological safety cabinets. These work with a laminar air flow, a kind of "air curtain", which keeps aerosols ("floating particles in the air") both inside and outside the work area of the workbench. The incoming and outgoing air is circulated and filtered in the workbench via two HEPA filters.

So how exactly are the laboratory technicians who have to process the samples protected? A class II safety workbench fulfils three protective functions:

The first protective function is product protection,i.e. aerosols floating in the air outside the workbench cannot penetrate into the work area, so that samples to be processed are not contaminated from the outside.

The second protection function is the carry-over protection, i.e. there is no cross-contamination inside the workbench when several samples are processed next to each other.

The last, most important and absolutely decisive protective function with regard to the initial question is the so-called personal protection. Aerosols, which are in the working area of the workbench, remain in the workbench and humans and environment are thus protected.

At HMC Europe the safety workbenches are also available in a handy extra narrow width of only 600mm - ideal where space is limited. Ask for information material today! We look forward to hearing from you!