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Laminar Air Flow Hood Uses

Laminar air flow hoods are used for the purpose of cleansing the air when aseptic (sterile) techniques and a sterile environment are required. According the Public Health and Safety Company, the NSF Bio-safety Cabinetry Program was initiated some 25 years ago, as requested by the regulatory community, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  1. Protection for Personnel

    • When used in conjunction with the preparation of medication that requires personnel, product and environment protection, a Class 11 laminar flow (vertical) safety cabinet is needed, also referred to as a vertical laminar air flow hood.

      Vertical and horizontal laminar air flow hoods provide clean air to the work space while providing a constant flow of air out of the work area to prevent room air from entering. Both are equipped with a High Efficiency Particulate Airfilter (HEPA) designed to remove all contaminants from the air.

    Pre-Filtering

    • While both vertical and horizontal laminar air flow hoods are equipped with a HEPA filter, the HEPA filter in a vertical airflow hood is positioned in the top of the unit, while it is in the rear of the horizontal air flow hood. The air in both units passes through a pre-filter,called a high-efficiency, bacteria-retentive filter, which traps dust and dirt particles. According to GlobalRPh.com, the pre-filter is the most important part of the laminar flow hood. The pre-filtered air then goes through the 99.9 percent efficient HEPA filter.

    Protection From Outside Contaminants

    • Due to dangers associated with the preparation of drugs that are known as potentially harmful to personnel preparing the drugs as well as the patients receiving them, proper safety techniques must be followed. In order to ensure a safe and sterile environment, laminar air flow hoods provide protection by filtering air and, according to a key point in aseptic technique provided by GlobalRPh.com, "the air flowing out from the hoods suspends and removes contaminants introduced into the work area by personnel."

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