Overview
Vacuum lines in use are not protected with liquid disinfectant traps and in-line HEPA or equivalent filters (<3 micron).
In almost all labs handling cells or microbe cultures, you will find vacuum flask setups similar to that shown on the image from BMBL. These systems are designed to remove cell culture supernatant or spend media from culture tubes and plates. When working with human or zoonotic pathogens or human biological materials (e.g. blood, tissue, cells, body fluids, etc.), an approved disinfectant is added to the flask prior to use to biologically inactivate any biohazardous material that is aspirated into the flask. All BSL-2 labs should use a liquid disinfectant trap and have an in-line HEPA or equivalent filter on their vacuum flask setups. Disinfectant traps and HEPA filters prevent vacuum systems from becoming contaminated by biohazardous materials and infectious agents.
If BSL-2 labs do not use a disinfectant trap and an in-line HEPA filter and they are working with infectious agents, cite this item and advise them on the proper setup. This includes adding undiluted bleach or another disinfectant to the flask prior to use.
It is not necessary to have an overflow flask in the setup, but if the lab routinely finds they overfill the flask, one should be used.
HEPA filters should be checked and replaced as needed.