The FACSAria has a jet-in-air fluidics system, which potentially produces aerosols, especially when sorting. These aerosols may contain infectious agents, such as hepatitis or HIV, when sourced from live human tissue. In addition, sorting known infectious agents such as bacteria or cells transfected or transformed with infectious agents also pose a risk from aerosol exposure. Since this aerosol is under pressure, potential for infectivity is theoretically much higher than incidental exposure during analysis.
The addition of a Baker BioProtect III biosafety cabinet, in which the FACSAria is now housed, allows for sorting of certain live human tissue and BSL2 agents. Approval for BSL2 sorting must be obtained through the Core Facility Manager.