• Question: Do you have to wear special cloths when your testing in the lab?

    Asked by 732mutg29 to Emma on 8 Nov 2016.
    • Photo: Emma Roycroft

      Emma Roycroft answered on 8 Nov 2016:


      Hi 732mutg29, good question! TB is highly contagious and is spread from person to person in the air. Because of this, we need to work with TB in a special facility called a Category Level 3 Laboratory. The air in the lab is constantly sucked out through a filter. We only work with the TB in a safety cabinet and we wear special disposable green gowns for the task, similar to surgeons in theatre. The lab is completely sealed so that no TB can escape if there is a spillage or breakage or anything. If there is an accident, we evacuate immediately and the whole lab is fumigated with hydrogen peroxide to kill any TB floating about before we can go back inside. It must be pretty safe since I have worked there for 10 years and have not got TB yet (touch wood!). Do you have to wear special clothes in your lab?

Comments