Learn the proper procedures and steps to take when working in a Cytotoxic Class II, Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinet from start up to shutdown.

1. Cytotoxic Biological Safety Cabinet
Operating Sequence
NuAire, Inc. | 2100 Fernbrook Lane | Plymouth, MN 55447 | U.S.A. | www.nuaire.com

2. Sequence Overview
1. Start Up
2. Wipedown
3. Materials and Equipment
4. Air Purge
5. Perform Work
6. Terminal Purging and Wipedown
7. Paper Catch/Prefilter
8. Shutdown

3. 1) Start Up
• Turn on cabinet blower and lights, check air intake
and exhaust portals of the cabinet to make sure
they are unobstructed.
• Allow blower to operate for a minimum of 15
minutes before aseptic manipulations are begun in
the cabinet.

4. 2) Wipedown
• Disinfect all interior surfaces of the workspace 70%
alcohol or similar non-corrosive anti-microbial agents.
Use of chlorinated or halogen materials in the cabinet
may damage stainless steel. If present, re-wipe with
70% Alcohol to remove damaging stainless steel
materials.

5. 3) Materials and Equipment
• Place apparatus and materials onto the work
surface.
• Do not place any items over the front or rear
intake grills.
• Separate contaminated materials on the work
surface to minimize movement.
• Do not use constant flame Bunsen burners.

6. 4) Air Purge
• Allow 2-3 minutes after apparatus and materials are
placed into the cabinet.

7. 5) Perform Work
• Use proper attire, long sleeve gown, knit cuffs and
appropriate gloves for handling of cytotoxic materials.
• Minimize movement and use proper aseptic technique.
• Cytotoxic preparation should observe the following:
a. A sterile plastic-backed absorbent drape should be
placed on the work surface during mixing
procedures. The drape should be exchanged
whenever significant spillage occurs, or at the end of
each production sequence.

8. 5) Perform Work (continued)
b. Vials should be vented with a filter needle to
eliminate internal pressure or vacuum.
c. Before opening ampoules, care should be taken to
insure that no liquid remains in the tip of the
ampoule. A sterile gauze sponge should be wrapped
around the neck of the ampoule while opening.
d. Final drug measurement should be performed prior
to removing the needle from the stopper of the vial.
e. A non-splash collection vessel should be available in
the work zone to discard excess drug solutions.

9. 5) Perform Work (continued)
• If an alarm occurs during the work process,
immediately stop working, evaluate the alarm type on
the control panel. If related to airflow, immediately
cover and/or stop work processes, identify the work
materials at risk during the work process. Proceed to
terminal purging (if possible), removal of materials and
interior wipe down.

10. 6) Terminal Purging & Wipedown
• Allow 2-3 minutes before removal of material and
apparatus from cabinet.
• Remove residual cytotoxic materials from all interior
surfaces using a light aqueous sodium hydroxide
solution (0.05M NaOH for daily use, 1M for weekly
cleaning). Re-wipe all interior surfaces of the
workspace 70% alcohol or similar non-corrosive antimicrobial agents. Use of chlorinated or halogen
materials in the cabinet may damage stainless steel. If
present, re-wipe with 70% Alcohol to remove
damaging stainless steel materials.

11. 7) Paper Catch/Prefilter
• A paper catch is installed under the work surface and
should be checked and cleaned no less than on a
weekly basis. Any paper removed must be removed
and properly disposed of as contaminated hazardous
waste.

12. 8) Shut Down
• Turn off blower and lights. Do not use the cabinet for
storage!

13. NuAire
• NuAire is a manufacturer of Biological Safety Cabinets
and Laboratory Equipment
• For questions or additional information
please visit www.nuaire.com or contact us
via email nuaire@nuaire.com