What surface in a biosafety cabinet should be wiped with a decontaminating solution before and after each work session?

• A. The air intake
• B. The HEPA filter
• C. The work surface
• D. The sash

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the surface that actually touches your materials and becomes contaminated during use is the one you must disinfect. The work surface inside a biosafety cabinet is the area that comes into direct contact with samples, media, and instruments, so wiping it with a suitable decontaminating solution before starting work and after completing work reduces the risk of cross-contamination and exposure.

The other components serve different roles in the cabinet’s function. The air intake and the HEPA filter are part of the ventilation and filtration system; cleaning them with a disinfectant could damage the filter or alter airflow, so they’re not treated as routine surfaces to wipe. The sash is a movable barrier and not the surface that directly contacts work materials, so routine decontamination focuses on the work surface and other interior surfaces that actually contact samples.