Horizontal laminar flow hoods are those in which the HEPA filter is placed at the rear of the cabin, so the unidirectional air flow moves through horizontal parallel lines, that is, from the rear of the equipment. towards the operator. They are workstations with a built-in air filtration system used for a variety of applications.
They provide the work area with a smooth stream of air with laminar flow and class 100 conditions. They are virtually a particle free work area that will protect the sample from any contaminants in the environment. Air filtration is obtained through a built-in HEPA filter, which filters out 99.97% of particles greater than or equal to 0.3 microns.
This equipment specifically protects the sample and not the user, and should never be used with pathogens or volatile or toxic chemicals. The equipment generally has a large work area, with glass side walls, illuminated by a fluorescent lamp. A germicidal UV lamp makes it possible to sterilize the area before and after work.
What is laminar flow?
It is a constant air flow with a uniform direction and speed, through this process turbulence is avoided and the risk of cross contamination is reduced
How do laminar flow hoods work?
When all the air that enters the work area is filtered through the HEPA filters, a unidirectional flow occurs because the air moves through the work area with a uniform speed along parallel lines achieving a sweep or elimination of the particles present in it.
This type of equipment cannot be used to work with dangerous products, for example certain antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, or any type of pathogenic sample such as viruses, since during handling aerosols can be generated that the air flow will carry to the operator. The horizontal laminar flow hood can be used for the preparation of culture media.
Why is its use recommended?
The use is recommended for protection of the samples or product. In this way, it is possible to avoid the existence of cross contamination that can cause loss of samples or products and as a consequence loss of time and financial resources for carrying out a new test. It is not recommended for the manipulation of cytostatics or for the preparation of oncological drugs because they can cause intoxication and damage to the respiratory tract. Likewise, it should not be used in pathogenic samples such as tuberculosis or for the inactivation of sars-cov-2 (samples with coronavirus).
Benefits of using a horizontal laminar flow hood
These hoods are guarantors of human safety and the end result of the process that is carried out with them, so it is important to provide them with daily maintenance and routine professional care that allows them to continue working properly throughout their useful life.
In summary, horizontal laminar flow hoods are precise laboratory work tools, necessary both in the field of scientific research and in the production of drugs. Thanks to them we will create an environment that is clean from particles and safe for personnel, the product and the environment.
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