Reductions in volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, and particulate air contaminants in an IVF laboratory by centralized and stand-alone air filtration systems

Abstract

To determine the effects of a dedicated central air-handling system and a stand-alone air filtration system on volatile organic compounds (VOC), aldehydes, and particulate concentrations in an IVF laboratory. Prospective, descriptive measurements of air quality. The IVF laboratory at Albany IVF is supplied by a dedicated central air-handling system which includes HEPA filtration, and high-activity charcoal and potassium permanganate filters. The hallway outside of the laboratory is supplied by an unfiltered air system. The central air-handling system in the laboratory was turned off and the air vents and doors to the laboratory were sealed with plastic sheeting. Base-line air samples were then taken in the hallway and the laboratory over 4 hours for the determination of VOC, aldehydes and particulates. A free-standing air-filtration system (Coda Tower, IVFonline/genX) was installed in the laboratory for 24 hours, and the air in the laboratory was again sampled. Air samples were analyzed for VOC by cryoconcentrated gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and for aldehydes by high-performance liquid chromatography. The size and number of particulates were determined by dispersion of laser light. A total of 28 VOC and 6 aldehydes, were detected in the baseline samples taken from the hallway and the laboratory. Of these, 24 were at lower concentration in the laboratory, 9 were at higher concentration in the laboratory, and one was at the same concentration in the hallway and laboratory. Total baseline particulate concentrations were 2.8 times higher in the laboratory than in the hallway. After 24 hours of operation of the Coda Tower, the concentrations of 14 VOC and 6 aldehydes in the laboratory decreased (range 13 to 100%), the concentrations of 4 were unchanged, and the concentrations of 3 (acetonitrile, dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC 12), and n-heptane) increased. The concentrations of six size classes of particulates in the laboratory decreased (range 37 to 98%) during the 24 hours of operation of the Coda Tower. The results indicate that a dedicated central air-handling system can reduce the concentrations of VOC, aldehydes, and particulates in an IVF laboratory. However, the Coda Tower produced further decreases in the concentrations of VOC, aldehydes, and particulates. The increase in the concentration of acetonitrile in the laboratory was probably due to off-gassing from the plastic sheeting used to seal the air vents and doors. These results suggest that a stand-alone air treatment system can improve air quality over that produced by a dedicated central air-handling system.