Harvest Room

Published February 2000

In biotechnology facilities, a room for purification of products produced or fermented by biohazardous microorganisms in a bioreactor. Operations conducted in a harvest room include centrifugation, filtration concentration, dialysis and chromatography. The space is designed to prevent the unplanned release of biohazardous materials outside secondary containment. Workers must normally use protective equipment in the harvest room during operations that involve process materials. The area is designed so that the room and associated equipment can be rapidly decontaminated. Workers must sometimes wear ventilated suits while inside the room, which requires them to take a disinfectant shower upon exiting to decontaminate the exterior of the suit.