Study finds that low air quality in fertility labs could affect the health of embryos, highlighting the need for effective air filtration systems to combat volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
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The hidden costs of pollution often go undetected until scientific studies identify correlations between poor indoor air quality, its effect on breathing and resulting lung illnesses.
That’s been true for cities such as Beijing and Los Angeles, which have been struggling with lowering emissions for years, even before citizens began to exhibit health issues associated with contaminants in the air.
What’s even more troubling is that laboratories, which are supposed to be sterile environments for research and learning, are also becoming contaminated by particle pollution, which may compromise test results conducted in these facilities.
A recent study found that this danger is even more prevalent in fertilization labs, which are designed to help create new life.
Association Between Air Quality and Embryo Development
The study, which was published in the Asian Journal of Andrology, confirmed what other studies and research have found, namely that poor air quality inside a fertility lab damages embryo development, and lowers implantation and pregnancy rates.
That’s because adverse airborne particulates drawn from polluted outside air, can infiltrate these labs, and chemically react with cellular development within these embryos.
While these studies are careful not to claim a direct causation, the findings do indicate that optimal reproductive success in a fertilization lab is not possible when the air quality in that lab is contaminated.
Types of Contaminants Found in Fertilization Labs
The study also found that the most common type of contaminant of concern in these labs were volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified VOCs as gases that are emitted from solids and liquid that can cause adverse health.
These organic compounds are derived from chemicals that are often found in common household goods such as wax; varnish; paint; cleansers; disinfectants; air fresheners; pesticides; wood preservatives; copiers; printers; correction fluid; glues and permanent markers.
So clearly, there are many sources of VOCs in fertilization labs that are not only drawn from outside air, but are also created within the lab itself.
In fact, the EPA has estimated that VOC levels are two to five times higher indoors than outdoors.
Which Air Filtration Is Most Effective?
In many fertility labs, particulate filtration may be insufficient to ensure the sterility of the environment. This often means that particle filtration must be combined with VOC filtration when selecting air filtration systems.
Making things even more challenging is that operational managers at these labs must take into account other factors that affect the air quality in these facilities.
For example, the size of a lab, the type of equipment used in the lab; the construction material used to build the lab; room temperature; room humidity; disposable materials used in the lab; and solvents used to clean the lab all have an effect on the air quality.
Without understanding how these factors all contribute to worsening indoor air quality, it is nearly impossible to implement a successful air filtration strategy.
Camfil Has the Solutions
As a company that has dedicated itself to providing the highest state-of-the-art air filtration systems, Camfil offers affordable solutions for the unique needs of every type of business. Camfil stands on more than 50 years of experience with the belief that clean air is not a privilege, but a right for every human being in the world.
Lynne Laake
Camfil USA Air Filters
T: 888.599.6620,
E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com
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