What type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is commonly required in a BSL-2 laboratory?

In a BSL-2 laboratory, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial as it is designed to protect the laboratory personnel from exposure to moderate hazards posed by biological agents. The correct response specifies that protective eyewear and lab coats, in addition to gloves, are required.

Protective eyewear is essential to shield the eyes from splashes and other involuntary exposures to potentially infectious materials. Lab coats serve a dual purpose: they provide a physical barrier against spills and contamination while also reducing the risk of carrying contaminants outside the lab environment. Gloves are fundamental, as they prevent direct skin contact with biological specimens or infectious materials.

The other choices would not ensure adequate protection in a BSL-2 setting. The option suggesting that PPE is optional overlooks the established safety protocols essential for mitigating exposure risks in laboratories handling biological agents. Saying that only gloves are required lacks comprehensiveness, as it fails to account for other significant risks, such as eye and skin protection. Requiring specialized respirators would imply a higher risk of aerosol transmission typically associated with BSL-3 facilities, which is unnecessary in a BSL-2 context where the hazards are moderate. Thus, the correct combination of PPE is vital for maintaining safety and compliance with biosafety