Biosafety Lab Supplies | Division of Research Safety

The following is a list of examples of safety equipment and accessories that meet university policy requirements for work with biological materials. These items and suitable alternatives can be purchased from distributors such as Fisher Scientific, VWR, Sigma, BioExpress. A list of links to companies that sell these items is available at the end of the document.

Biohazard Bags

Constructed of material that is safe to autoclave.
Color may be red, orange, or clear as long as the international biohazard symbol is prominently displayed.
Select a size that will fit your autoclave.

Example of an orange autoclave bag
Orange Autoclave Bag Fishersci Cat# 01-814

Example of several different sizes and kinds of autoclave bags
Puncture-resistant autoclave bags Fishersci Cat# 01-829, 01-827

Biohazard Containers

Minimum requirements: labeled, leak proof, with a lid.
Basic receptacles may be purchased from local stores such as Walmart or Target.
Biohazard symbol shall be displayed prominently on the lid and sides (request free biohazard stickers from the Division of Research Safety by calling 333-2755 or filling out our sticker and tag request form).
Units with a foot pedal opener are popular because they allow hands-free operation.

Example of a red, hands-free operating biohazard waste container

Eagle Biohaz Step on Waste Container, Fishersci Cat# 18-1880

Example of a 10 gallon rubbermaid brute barrel
Rubbermaid Brute Containers and lids, 10 gal Fishersci Cat# 19-046-663, 19-046-680

Vacuum line protection

In-line HEPA filters protect house vacuum lines from contamination.
HEPA filters remove 99.97% of .3mm particles

Example of a millipore in-line HEPA filter
Millipore Millex Filter Units Fishersci cat# SLFG85010 and SLFG025LS

AUTOCLAVE PANS/TRAYS

Non-glass containers such as stainless steel or plastic (i.e., polypropylene) that are autoclavable.
Sides should be high enough to contain liquids but not high enough to interfere with steam penetration.

Example of a stainless steel autoclavable pan
Medical Action Stainless-Steel Utility Trays Fishersci cat# 13-361C

Example of a nalgene polypropylene autoclavable tray
Nalgene Polypropylene Sterilizing Trays Fishersci cat# 13-359 or 13-361

Centrifuge Safety

These tools prevent aerosols of high risk samples from being generated during centrifugation and allow samples to be safely opened in a biosafety cabinet.
Safety cups are specific to the centrifuge: check for part availability from manufacturer.
O-ringed tubes should be used during centrifugation of risk group 2 material if safety cups are not available.

A Corning o-ring tube
Corning 1.5 with o-ring Fishersci Cat# 05-538-71A

Example of a centrifuge rotor that spins plates and can contain aerosols
M-20: plate spinner for rotor for Sorvall ST-16

Example of a fixed angle rotor with safety cups
8x50 Fixed angle rotor for Sorvall ST-16

Examples of an o-ring and nalgene sealing cup for 15 ml conical tubes
Nalgene sealing cap are autoclavable and fit standard 15 ml conical tubes; SigmaAldrich cat# C6062-2EA

Culture Containment

Vented with .2mm pore filter for culturing risk group 2 organisms.
Disposables simplify waste clean-up. Eliminates risk of broken glass.

An example of a corning disposable erlenmeyer
Corning Disposable Erlenmeyer FisherSci cat #07-200-668

An example of a corning cell culture flasks
Corning Cell Culture Flasks FisherSci Cat# 10-126-37

Alternatives to Bunsen Burners

Open flame burners should not be used a biological safety cabinet.
Glass bead sterilizers and electric furnaces are alternatives for sterilizing loop, forceps.

Example of a microcinerator
Argos Nova Microcinerator FisherSci Cat# 03-391-190

Example of a glass bead sterilizer
Steri 250 Glass Bead Sterilizer FisherSci Cat# NC9531961

Glove Bag/Box

An air-tight enclosure for opening containers of or dry biotoxins when a fume hood is not available.
There are disposable and permanent solutions.
Disposable options simplify cleanup without taking up bench space.
Permanent glove boxes allow for a draft-free environment for scale accuracy.

Example of a glove box with air lock
Scienceware Clear View glove box with air lock SigmaAldrich Cat# Z681563

Example of a inflatable glove bag
Glove Bag Inflatable Chambers ColeParmer Cat#108DX-37-37H

Syringes

Syringes with a safety-lock (e.g., Luer-Lok by BD) connecter secure the needle to the syringe.
Syringes with automated retraction limit exposure to contaminated needles.
Hinged safety syringes allow for the one handed shielding of needles after use if recapping is necessary.

Close up example of a luer-lok tip compared to a slip tip
BD Luer-Lok syringes compared to a slip tips

Example of a hinged safety syringe
BD Eclipse Hypodermic Needles FisherSci Cat# 14-821-25

Example of an automated retraction syringe

Retractable Technologies VanishPoint Automated Retraction Syringes Product# 10551

Spore Vials

Autoclave validation is an important step to ensure that waste is safe for others to handle and safe for the environment.

Example of self-contained biological indicators for steam
Mesa Labs ProTest Self-Contained Biological Indicators for Steam, FisherSci Cat# NC9433242

Laboratory Chairs

Chairs should be non-cloth, non-porous material such as vinyl or plastic that can be readily decontaminated.

Example of a vinyl covered chair
Five-Leg Base Vinyl Chairs FisherSci Cat# S68902

Example of a upholstered stool
Upholstered Stool FisherSci Cat# 14-359-409

Vendors

A complete list of approved vendors that have university contracts is available; https://www.obfs.uillinois.edu/purchases/strategic-procurements/contracts-awards/

Last Updated: 1/23/2026