The majority of clinical/diagnostic laboratories adhere to procedures for which containment level?

Clinical and diagnostic laboratories primarily adhere to procedures associated with containment level 2. This level is designed to ensure safety when working with biological agents that may pose a moderate risk to laboratory personnel and the environment. Containment level 2 includes practices such as wearing protective equipment, implementing biological safety cabinets for handling potentially infectious materials, and having procedures in place for disposal of waste to prevent any risk of exposure or contamination.

While containment levels 1, 3, and 4 exist within the biosafety framework, they cater to different levels of risk. Level 1 is for agents unlikely to cause disease in healthy individuals, level 3 is for agents such as those causing serious or potentially lethal diseases through inhalation, and level 4 is reserved for the most dangerous pathogens that pose a high risk of life-threatening disease, often requiring specialized facilities and procedures. The majority of routine clinical and diagnostic work does not involve the risks associated with levels 3 or 4, which is why containment level 2 is the standard level for these laboratories.