Laboratories play a vital role in scientific research and the development of new technologies, but their operation can have a significant impact on the environment. Laboratories consume large quantities of energy to maintain optimum and safe working conditions. They also cause the emission of atmospheric pollutants and produce hazardous waste, contributing to a substantial environmental footprint.
In light of the growing challenges of climate change and environmental protection, it is becoming absolutely vital to find solutions to reduce this impact. One of the many possible approaches is the use of air filtration technologies, which are a particularly efficient and accessible method for improving the sustainability of labs. These technologies make it possible not only to reduce pollutants emissions and improve indoor air quality, but also to optimise energy consumption, creating healthier and more environmentally-friendly work spaces.
Understanding the environmental impact of laboratories
Before looking at how air filtration technologies can help reduce the environmental footprint of laboratories, it is important to understand the main factors contributing to this impact:
- Energy consumption: lab equipment such as hoods and ventilation systems require a great deal of energy to work properly. Labs often operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which makes for high energy usage.
- Pollutant emissions: activities performed in labs often result in the emission of atmospheric pollutants, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOC) and fine particles, which can be harmful both to human health and the environment. These pollutants may come from a variety of sources, including chemicals used in handling operations and cleaning processes.
- Waste management: labs often produce hazardous waste such as chemicals and toxic substances, requiring appropriate management to avoid pollution of the air, water and soil. Poor management of this waste can lead to risks for public health and the environment.
The importance of air filtration
Air filtration is a key element of the sustainability strategy of laboratories. By eliminating atmospheric pollution and improving indoor air quality, air filtration systems can help reduce the environmental impact of laboratories in several ways:
- Reduction of pollutant emissions: air filtration systems can effectively capture VOCs, particles and other pollutants generated by laboratory activities, thus reducing their environmental impact. This is crucial in order to minimise the risks of outdoor air pollution and protect public health.
- Improvement of indoor air quality: by eliminating pollutants from indoor air, air filtration systems create a healthier work environment that is safer for lab staff and may also help improve their productivity and well-being. Purified air reduces the risk of allergies, respiratory illnesses and other health problems related to air quality.
- Optimisation of energy use: modern air filtration systems are designed to be energy-efficient, which helps reduce electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with operating ventilation equipment. The use of energy-efficient filtration systems can also reduce laboratory operating costs.
- Economic benefits: investing in advanced air filtration systems can provide considerable economic benefits. By reducing energy consumption, labs can achieve significant savings on their electricity bills. Furthermore, by improving indoor air quality, these technologies can reduce costs related to staff health and absenteeism while extending the service life of sensitive equipment by minimising exposure to contaminants.
Advanced air filtration technologies
To maximise the efficiency of air filtration in laboratories, it is essential to use advanced technologies tailored to the specific needs of each environment. These technologies capture and neutralise a range of atmospheric pollutants, thereby helping create a healthier work environment while at the same time reducing the environmental impact.
Here is an overview of the advanced air filtration technologies available:
Filters
Filters are the first line of defence against atmospheric pollutants in laboratories. They play a crucial role in capturing fine particles and harmful chemical compounds.
- HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters: these filters effectively trap fine particles, including biological contaminants such as bacteria and viruses, and are ideal for labs that require a high level of air purification. They are commonly used in clean rooms and sensitive research environments.
- Active carbon filters: designed to adsorb gases and chemical vapours, these filters are efficient in eliminating VOCs and other gaseous pollutants present in the air in laboratories. They are particularly useful in chemistry labs where volatile compounds are frequently handled.
Equipment
Outre les filtres, divers équipements de filtration avancés sont utilisés pour maintenir une qualité de l’air optimale dans les laboratoires. Ces dispositifs sont conçus pour répondre à des besoins spécifiques et améliorer l’efficacité de la purification de l’air.
- Ductless hoods : also known as recirculation or filter hoods, these devices use HEPA and active carbon filters to capture pollutants before recirculating clean air in the laboratory. They are particularly useful in environments where it is not possible to install evacuation ducts leading to the outside.
- Air purifiers : designed to purify air by capturing fine particles, allergens, chemical pollutants and micro-organisms, these devices generally use a combination of HEPA filters, active carbon filters and advanced purification technologies such as photo-catalysis and UV light to improve indoor air quality.
- Real-time air quality control sensors : these systems monitor indoor air quality continuously. They can detect the levels of various pollutants and automatically adjust the ventilation and filtration system to maintain optimum air quality. This technology enables a rapid response to changes in the lab environment.
To illustrate the effectiveness and positive impact of these advanced air technologies, let’s take a look at some case studies. These examples demonstrate how various laboratories and institutions have implemented these solutions to improve air quality and reduce their environmental impact while achieving cost savings and health benefits for their staff.
Case studies
AUB Santé
AUB Santé, a recognised public-interest foundation, has equipped dialysis rooms with HALO air filtration systems to reduce the risks of airborne infection, in particular from pathogenic agents such as Covid-19. The use of HALO 35 P with HEPA H14 filters has helped achieve a 46% reduction in particles smaller than 0.5 microns during dialysis sessions, and a 55% reduction during bio-cleaning periods. This solution has also helped achieve energy savings thanks to the low energy consumption of HALO systems (50 W) and the fact that no connection to an extraction system is needed.
Butler University
Butler University has installed GreenFumeHood3 filter hoods from Erlab in its labs to improve the safety and quality of the air, while reducing energy costs. Before installing them, the laboratories used traditional ventilation systems, increasing air-conditioning requirements and energy consumption. With the GHF hoods, the labs have been able to eliminate the need to extract outside air, thus reducing cooling requirements and achieving energy savings of around 10%. This solution has also improved user safety by limiting users’ exposure to volatile chemicals and has helped achieve better air quality.
Tefal
Tefal has implemented the built-in filtration technology in its research and development laboratories to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. GFH3 filtration technology is used to minimise exposure to hazardous chemicals, thus improving the safety of employees and indoor air quality. Following the installation of filtration fume cupboards, the volumes of treated air in the building have been reduced while maintaining seven air renewal operations per hour. The building uses less energy and operating costs have been reduced.
In summary
Air filtration plays a key role in reducing the environmental footprint of labs, By eliminating atmospheric pollution and optimising energy use, these technologies help achieve more environmentally-friendly research practices. They also provide a sustainable solution for improving indoor air quality and creating healthier and safer work environments. Adopting these solutions is essential to achieving environmental protection while pursuing scientific progress.
