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Cytotoxic cabinets
Labman BV is official distributor for CleanAir by Baker Biovanguard B cytotoxic safety cabinets and other laboratory hoods for Belgium.
Cytotoxic safety cabinets offer reliable protection when handling hazardous drugs like cytotoxic and antineoplastic compounds. Unlike standard biological safety cabinets, they are designed to safely manage contaminated filters without releasing toxic particles into the air—ensuring full compliance with DIN 12980 and keeping your staff and environment safe.
The CleanAir by Baker Biovanguard B series is certified by TÜV Nord to the EN 12469 and DIN 12980 guidelines, ensuring operator safety when working with cytotoxic drugs or other hazardous products.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cytotoxic safety cabinet and how does it differ from a standard biosafety cabinet?
Why Standard Biological Safety Cabinets Are Not Always Enough for Cytotoxic Drug Handling
Biological safety cabinets (BSCs) are engineered to protect both the user and the surrounding environment from exposure to biohazards, while maintaining a sterile ISO Class 5 work area. To achieve this, they rely on HEPA filtration, which efficiently captures airborne micro-organisms and particles.
While HEPA filters also trap hazardous powders—including cytotoxic and antineoplastic drugs—standard BSCs are not designed for the safe handling of these compounds during filter maintenance. Here’s why:
When a biological safety cabinet is used for cytotoxic products, the HEPA filters become contaminated with hazardous drug residues. Unlike biological agents, cytotoxic compounds cannot be neutralized by gaseous decontamination (e.g., formaldehyde or hydrogen peroxide vapor). As a result, there is a significant risk that these toxic substances become airborne again during filter replacement, posing a serious occupational exposure risk.
Why You Need a Dedicated Cytotoxic Safety Cabinet
Cytotoxic safety cabinets, also referred to as DIN 12980-compliant cabinets, are specifically designed to mitigate this risk.
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They include a third HEPA filter positioned beneath the work surface, which serves as an additional containment layer.
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This pre-exhaust filter can be safely replaced while the cabinet is running, ensuring continuous negative pressure to prevent release of contaminants.
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The extra filtration step significantly reduces the risk of cytotoxic agents escaping into the environment during maintenance or filter change.
Key Benefits of Cytotoxic Cabinets for Hazardous Drug Compounding
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Enhanced protection for personnel, product, and environment
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Safe filter replacement under continuous negative pressure
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Compliant with DIN 12980 and other international standards for cytotoxic drug handling
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Suitable for hospital pharmacies, oncology preparation units, and pharmaceutical manufacturing environments
Does my cytotoxic cabinet need to be ducted?
If you’re working with cytotoxic or antineoplastic drugs in a regulated environment, a ducted cytotoxic safety cabinet is the safest and most compliant choice. Even when HEPA filters are in place, ducting ensures residual vapors or accidental leaks don’t recirculate into the workspace.
If the cytotoxic safety cabinet is used for sterile compounding of other hazardous products, please check the safety datasheets for requirements about ducting.
Can cytotoxic cabinets be used for sterile compounding?
Yes, cytotoxic cabinets are suitable for sterile preparations, including those requiring aseptic techniques, as long as the cabinet is installed in a controlled cleanroom and regularly validated for ISO 5 performance.
Biovanguard B cytotoxic cabinets offer the possibility to be delivered with 0,45m/s downflow speed to easily comply with GMP Annex 1 or PICS annex 3.
Are your cytotoxic cabinets compliant with GMP and DIN 12980 standards?
Our Biovanguard B cytotoxic cabinets comply with all safety standards:
- TÜV NORD certified to the EN 12469 standard for biological safety cabinet
- TÜV NORD certified to the DIN 12980 standard for laboratory installations – Safety cabinets and glove boxes for cytotoxic substances and other CMR drugs
TÜV NORD CERT offers manufacturers and users support through product inspections in accordance with the requirements of the Product Safety Act. Our experts, whose decades of experience have significantly shaped the relevant product standards, help you establish and maintain a high level of safety.
The GS mark stands for quality and safety in Europe and many other countries worldwide. It indicates that the product, including its instructions for use, has been tested by an independent institution. Products with the GS mark are favored due to their proven safety and offer a clear competitive advantage.
On top of external EN 12469 and DIN 12980 certifications, our Biovanguard B cytotoxic cabinets can also be configured with 0,45 m/s downflow speed to comply with GMP guidelines.
Our solutions
Cytotoxic safety cabinets with manual sash
- Cytotoxic cabinet
- Internal width: 1180 mm
- Compliance: TÜV Nord certified to EN12469 & DIN 12980
- Motors: 3 x energy efficient EC motors
- Sash type: manual sliding sash
Price on request
- Cytotoxic cabinet
- Internal width: 1790 mm
- Compliance: TÜV Nord certified to EN12469 & DIN 12980
- Motors: 5 x energy efficient EC motors
- Sash type: manual sliding sash
Price on request
Cytotoxic safety cabinets with motorized sash
- Cytotoxic cabinet
- Internal width: 1180 mm
- Compliance: TÜV Nord certified to EN12469 & DIN 12980
- Motors: 3 x energy efficient EC motors
- Sash type: electrical sliding sash
Price on request
- Cytotoxic cabinet
- Internal width: 1790 mm
- Compliance: TÜV Nord certified to EN12469 & DIN 12980
- Motors: 5 x energy efficient EC motors
- Sash type: electrical sliding sash