What biosafety containment level is suitable for work involving agents of moderate potential hazard?

Biosafety level 2 is designed specifically for work involving agents that pose a moderate potential hazard to humans and the environment. At this level, standard laboratory practices are required, and it includes additional safety measures to protect personnel and the community from exposure to biological agents that can cause illness in healthy adults. The types of agents handled at this level can include pathogenic organisms that are transmitted via contact with broken skin or mucous membranes, or those requiring moderate interventions for handling.

This level emphasizes a combination of engineering controls (such as biosafety cabinets) and work practice controls, as well as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure a safer working environment. It serves as an important intermediate step in the biosafety levels, indicating an escalation in safety measures as the risk associated with the biological agents increases compared to levels 1 and 3/4, which deal with lower risks and higher risks, respectively.