Which Biosafety Level is primarily concerned with low-risk biological agents?

The choice indicating that Biosafety Level 1 (BSL1) is primarily concerned with low-risk biological agents is accurate. BSL1 is the basic level of biosafety that is designed for work with microorganisms that are not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adults and pose minimal risks to laboratory personnel and the environment.

At this level, safety practices are straightforward. Researchers typically work with well-characterized agents that are not deadly and require minimal containment. Common practices under BSL1 include using standard microbiological techniques, which include the basic use of personal protective equipment (like gloves and lab coats) and basic hygiene procedures.

This focus on low-risk biological agents is critical, as it reflects a tiered approach to biosafety, where subsequent levels (BSL2, BSL3, and BSL4) address increasingly hazardous agents that can pose higher risks of infection, more significant exposure routes, and in the case of BSL4, potential lethality. Thus, BSL1 is established specifically for those low-risk agents, ensuring both safety and compliance in laboratory environments.