IVF Lab
The quality of air within an IVF lab will inevitably affect embryonic development and therefore has a critical impact on IVF success. Using Air purifier in IVF labs improves the air quality. Doctors recommend on how to secure the air quality in IVF lab.
Hazardous components in air can come from many sources
Air in urban areas can contain high levels of pollutants such as;
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrous oxide
- Sulphur dioxide
- Heavy metals
Likewise, indoors, construction materials, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), PVC flooring, paints and adhesives constitute the major source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can also contribute to the phenomenon called “sick building syndrome”1. Other sources of indoor chemical hazards are cleaning fluids, floor waxes, cosmetics and cigarette smoke.
National Health and Safety Authorities recommend safe limits of VOC exposure for humans and give guidelines for building ventilation, but there is little evidence in the IVF literature of the toxicological effect from these substances on embryos in vitro.
Controlling air quality in the IVF lab has beneficial effect on results
Pollutants can settle on work surfaces and dissolve in aqueous solutions of embryo culture medium and even more so in the lipophilic oil overlays. The vulnerable embryos cannot protect themselves against these environmental contaminants.
Controlling air quality in an IVF laboratory has shown beneficial effects regarding fertilization and embryo development3.
The EU directive 2004/23/EC stipulates air quality requirements when human tissue and cells are handled. A critical point is clean air, which has let to centers making – at the very least – slight structural changes to their IVF units.
Location important factor in reducing air pollution
Since most centers are located in cities and towns, control of the air quality may be hindered in the urban air, especially for units close to busy roads and car parks. Within a hospital, difficulties may be encountered with working in an area adjacent to the laundry, sterilizing or histology departments.
A clean room environment secures better outcome
If embryo development and implantation depends so highly on its culture environment, the IVF laboratory should do well to apply more stringent regulatory standards in matters of particle control and especially molecular air quality. Only then will the embryology laboratory truly enter the biotechnology arena.
“All furniture, cleaning methods and clothing should be clean room approved. The laboratory should have smooth, non-porous walls, impervious unbroken surfaces with corners and ledges that are easy to clean, no sliding doors, sinks and drains. The lighting should be within sealed lighting units in order to help reduce airborne particles.
Don’t forget the rooms adjacent to the lab
Also since anesthetic gasses use in oocytes retrieval may linger in the air a suitable extraction system may be installed in the operation theatre.
