Risks of atmospheric pollution in the laboratory: prevention and solutions

Laboratories are environments where precision and safety are paramount. Whether in analysis, research or quality control laboratories, biological risks linked to contamination are omnipresent. These workplaces require increased vigilance to avoid any contamination that could affect not only the health of staff, but also the performance of experiments.

1. Infectious risks for staff

Laboratory infections can come from a variety of sources. They can occur through direct or indirect contact, but also by airborne route. Biological contamination directly endangers the health of staff.

Laboratory technicians are not the only ones exposed to biological risks: maintenance and cleaning staff, other laboratory departments (such as the secretariat) and visitors may also be affected. Air diffusion in the premises and contaminated lab coats or clothing can spread contaminants to these people.

Airborne contamination of biological origin is one of the most common. They can occur during sampling or when handling samples.

Such contamination can include bacteria, viruses or fungal spores, which can easily become airborne and be inhaled by staff. A common example is laboratories working with pathogens such as tuberculosis bacilli, which can be spread by aerosols generated during handling.

Medical analysis or screening laboratories are obviously concerned, but quality control laboratories in the food industry or industry can also be affected by various micro-organisms, viruses, bacteria or moulds.

The risks are all the greater when samples are handled without adequate protective equipment or under inadequate ventilation and air purification conditions.

These airborne biocontaminants then enter the body via the respiratory tract. Repeated daily activities in laboratories encourage and increase exposure to these aerosols, such as :

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2. Risk of exposure to chemicals

In addition to biological hazards, laboratories often use hazardous chemicals, including solvents such as benzene, chloroform and acetone.

On a typical day in a laboratory, technicians handle a variety of volatile organic solvents, each with its own specific hazards.

For example, when extracting organic compounds, methanol is commonly used. However, it requires adequate ventilation and air purification because of the risk of inhalation.

Acetone, which is frequently used to clean laboratory glassware, shares these risks, making the use of fume hoods and protective masks crucial. During certain chromatographic separations, hexane may be used, requiring similar precautions due to its toxic and flammable properties.

At the same time, cleaning and disinfecting agents such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and hydrogen peroxide are used to disinfect work surfaces and equipment. These substances can also cause respiratory and skin irritation, requiring the use of gloves, protective goggles and good ventilation practices.

3. Consequences on economic performance

Airborne contamination can also have a significant impact on the economic performance of laboratories.

Airborne biological contamination can cause significant delays in research projects, or distort analysis results by contaminating samples.

For example, microbial contamination in a biotechnology laboratory can distort the results of cell cultures, requiring costly and time-consuming experiments to be repeated. Or in an agri-food quality control laboratory, if airborne contamination contaminates samples, it can lead to errors and significant delays in production.

These disruptions lead not only to additional costs for laboratories, but also to a loss of credibility and confidence on the part of customers and partners.

At the same time, staff infections can lead to work stoppages, reducing productivity and increasing occupational health and safety costs. A flu epidemic in a laboratory, for example, can lead to a massive absence of staff, with a serious impact on productivity.

Solution to combat air-related risks in the laboratory
To prevent these risks, it is essential to implement effective ventilation and air purification solutions.

The EOLIS Air Manager air purifier is a state-of-the-art solution for combating airborne contamination in the laboratory. Designed to meet the most stringent requirements of professional and medical environments, this air purification device features high-performance filtration thanks to its advanced technology to ensure clean, safe air.

EOLIS Air Manager is equipped with a 5-stage filtration system:

• The ISO 18184-certified biocide pre-filter: This pre-filter provides an initial filtration action on micro-organisms, reducing the risk of contamination from the first level of filtration.
• The very high density activated carbon filter: This filter acts directly on odours emanating from chemicals, fumes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), also ensuring operator comfort by eliminating unpleasant and potentially harmful odours.
• The H13 HEPA filter: Capable of capturing up to 99.97% of fine particles, including bacteria and viruses, this filter is essential for laboratories handling pathogens. It ensures that dangerous particles are retained and do not disperse into the ambient air, ensuring a safe working environment.
• UV-C germicidal function: This technology purifies the air by destroying micro-organisms at the molecular level. This function is particularly useful in laboratories where samples of infectious diseases are analysed.
• Controlled active oxygen generation (optional): This patented technology enables air and surfaces to be sanitised safely and in just 60 minutes. It allows rapid, safe access to the handling rooms, without requiring long periods of inactivity.

To ensure the safety of staff and the reliability of laboratory results, it is essential to control air quality. Air cleaners, like the EOLIS Air Manager, offer an effective and advanced solution for minimising the risks of airborne contamination and improving the economic performance of laboratories.

Are you a Laboratory Director or Quality Control Manager looking to prevent contamination risks? Do you need an effective airborne decontamination solution?

Contact our experts now to discuss your problems. We’ll recommend the best solution for you.