Clearing Up the Ductless Fume Hood Debate

In order to clear up the many misconceptions associated with the use of filtering ductless fume hoods a frank discussion of the facts versus misinformation, perceived as the truth, is necessary. In presenting an accurate description, safety standards, actual chemical testing processes, and sustainability issues need to be addressed.

It is easy to understand the pervasive reluctance to examine the benefits that a ductless fume hood brings to the laboratory especially when one considers that their use has been banned in many educational and industrial institution’s EHS handbooks. Taking a closer look, we find that the directive exists as an administrative effort to guarantee safety in the lab, no matter what chemicals or substances are actually being used. In other words, using ducted fume hoods takes the guesswork out of keeping lab personnel safe. This may be true, but the other side of the coin contains real value and deserves to be considered.

Evaluating the Role of Ducted Fume Hoods in Volatile Applications

Let’s begin by examining the claim that when working with a more volatile range of chemicals in the lab a ducted fume hood may be required.

This is indeed a fact. It is also a fact that the contaminated air pulled through the exhaust ducts and fans is vented to the atmosphere. While this method ensures that hazardous fumes, vapors and particulates are removed from the workplace it is not a sustainable process as that hazardous air is dispersed into the greater community. Being an active shepherd of the environment is everyone’s responsibility, but until directives and codes are revised what is the alternative?

The Solution Is to Minimize Environmental Impact

Whether a lab project is a renovation or is incorporated into a new building plan, the solution lies in minimizing the impact of the ducted hoods, admittedly necessary for some applications. This is done by installing portable, energy efficient ductless fume hoods or more permanent filtered fume hoods, both of which use a tested, high quality filtration system to eliminate contaminants, returning only clean air back into the lab. This solution minimizes the effect of bad air being expelled into the environment by limiting the instances where the ducted hoods are used.

Additionally, ductless and filtered fume hoods minimize the amount of ventilation ’make-up’ air required to be brought into the lab through the HVAC systems. Ventilation air, 100% fresh air by definition, requires significant energy to move, heat, and cool. When only ducted hoods are employed the spend on energy is literally vented to the atmosphere with every usage. This is neither cost effective nor sustainable.

Consider Both Sides of the Coin

Labs and lab designers don’t have to make the choice between “Ducted” or “Ductless” fume hoods. Lab and facility managers already know what kind of chemicals are mandated for use with only ducted fume hoods. What they might not know is how over 700 tried and tested chemicals have been individually validated and assessed for customers using Erlab’s unique air filtration. To be clear this chemical assessment is robust, submitted in writing to the customer, and superior to other methods of testing. It is Erlab’s guarantee of safety for the user and lab occupants.

The reality is this: introducing this type of ductless fume hood into your laboratory plan will increase the safety for people in the lab as well as outside. These fume hoods are also more cost effective than ducted fume hoods, are swing space compliant, that is they are easily relocated when renovations are planned, decrease a lab’s carbon footprint, and allow for lower allocation of funding needed for new lab space.

So, by all means keep a ducted hood for when it’s needed, but give serious consideration to reviewing the Erlab ductless and filtered fume hoods for the protection and safety of laboratory personnel and join the growing global community of clients who have found a better way to eliminate contaminated air in the laboratory and atmosphere.

About Erlab

As the inventor of the ductless laboratory fume hood and worldwide leader since 1968, Erlab’s passion is to focus on the research and development, design, and manufacturing of cutting-edge toxic gas air filtration in the laboratory. As an industry innovator, Erlab is committed to safety, performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability, and has remained number one in the world for ductless fume hoods.

Additional Resources:

Butler University Interview Video

Safe Alternatives to Ducted Fume Hood (Webinar Excerpt)

The challenge of finding fact-based truth

There has been a great deal of debate these days between how people qualify ‘facts’ and, what someone ‘has heard,’ also known as hearsay. This disparity exists in every industry, culture, profession, and as we bear witness to daily, even in the media. It begs the question: How can anyone know the truth?

We can’t speak for all of the pervasive nonfactual news and disinformation currently circulating on every platform of communication, but we can address a topic that for over 50 years has occupied the top R&D scientist in the lab air filtration industry. These dedicated individuals are employed by Erlab, Inc, and, quite rightly so, take it personally when people doubt the facts behind their life’s work. We are also willing to give the laboratory community they serve, the benefit of the doubt, as they may have read something online or in published materials that they ‘supposed’ to be the facts. This trusting of unverified sources seems to have been adopted as a way to cope with information overload. We all do it.

Getting proven data based solutions

One thing scientists, chemists, and lab technicians will agree on is that the success of their work relies on factual, tried and tested data. Which, by a strange coincidence, is the same process employed by the scientist at Erlab since 1968. This company is the inventor of the ductless fume hood, and the industry leader with over 150,000 ductless fume hoods installed in the US and globally. This tells us they are a thought leader and a trusted source for verifiable data in their profession.

To get answers to some of the most common misinformation in their industry we asked the safety and air filtration experts at Erlab, what objections they face on a daily basis? They refer to it as the ‘myths and the reality’ scenario as they attempt to dispel the misconceptions associated with ductless fume hoods.

Myth #1

The filtered air is returned to the lab space and there are no guarantees that the filtration system will adequately remove the chemical contaminants.

Reality:

Erlab performs rigorous testing of their media and their filters. All testing performed is in adherence to the 15-211 standard, which ensures that the air exhausted is free from chemicals emissions. Erlab’s PhD chemists perform analysis for each customer’s specific chemical handling’s.

A detailed report is then given to the customer stating the filter retention capacity, life cycle of the filter, and means of relevant chemical detection to measure the filters efficiency.

Myth #2

Some of the filters for ductless fume hoods cost a lot and must be disposed of as hazardous waste, which can become expensive.

Reality:

Disposal of the filters falls within the normal PPE process (gloves and glasses). Because of the nature of adsorption and the process we use to improve the reaction between the media and the pollutants, the molecular adhesion is also improved.

Release of any molecule during routine disposal will not occur and is proven with TCLP reports on used filters. Hazardous waste disposal is not necessary.

Myth #3

Determining which filter to use in the hood is often difficult because it is dependent upon chemical use.

Reality:

Erlab’s eValiQuest, a web-based platform, makes this determination simple. The customer is guided through their process and chemical handlings, and is provided real-time data for the appropriate filters and configurations pertaining to their specific application. Erlab’s PhD chemists then perform an analysis to meet client needs and a detailed report is presented with the following results:

• Selection of the appropriate filter type for your chemicals
• Proper configuration of the filtration column for the chemicals used in your hood
• Filter retention capacity
• Proper means of breakthrough detection

About Erlab

Inventor of the ductless laboratory fume hood and worldwide leader since 1968, Erlab’s passion is to focus on the research and development, design, and manufacturing of cutting-edge toxic gas air filtration in the laboratory. As an industry innovator, Erlab is committed to safety, performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability, and has remained number one in the world for ductless fume hoods.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Linda Video- See what changed Linda’s mind

Safe Alternatives to Ducted Fume Hoods (Webinar Extract)

A history of excellence and growth

Perfumer’s Apprentice was started in 2004, by Linda Andrews, to help perfumers of all skills and experience levels learn about and use professional fragrance components. Their offerings include pure and natural essential oils, absolutes, and isolates. They also offer fragrance oils, aroma chemicals and specialty blends from fragrance houses such as Givaudan, Firmenich, IFF, Robertet and others. As an added service they also offer classes and educational kits to aid customers in the creative process.

They expanded their business in 2009 and created The Flavor Apprentice, where they create unique, mouth-watering flavors for culinary professionals and enthusiasts. They offer choices from over 300 professional flavor concentrates that can be used in a wide variety of flavoring applications. They carry a broad range of products and sizes for anything from experimenting with new recipes to meeting bulk needs.

Customers of Perfumer’s Apprentice include fragrance enthusiasts, independent perfumers, and small to mid-sized brands who are competing in the beauty market. With an eye on the future they are constantly improving and expanding their flavors and fragrance ingredients with the mission to continue to offer premium products to their customers.

Challenges in the flavor and fragrance industry

Companies operating in the Flavor and Fragrance industry space have major concerns when it comes to providing a safe, clean, fume free work environment for their staff. Air filtration is also of paramount importance to those businesses working with volatile chemicals. Additionally, since many are developing new specialty fragrance blends in-house, it is important to eliminate as many odors from the space as possible to avoid skewing the results of the creative testing processes.

The Perfumer’s Apprentice was searching for a solution to upgrade their lab equipment and provide a safer and cleaner work environment for their staff. The biggest challenge in finding the right company and equipment was who to ask. ”Finding a company that was specialized in the Flavor & Fragrance industry was a huge determining factor.

Most companies don’t even know what our industry does, let alone the specificity of our materials. We found Erlab understood our needs and industry very well and assisted us in our search with their experience and knowledge providing much welcomed direction.” T. McIntosh, PA Fragrance Operations Manager

Finding a trusted partner

Acknowledging a better way to protect staff, increase productivity, and enhance their customer’s experience was a big step in the right direction for Perfumer’s Apprentice. The criteria for purchasing the equipment to assist them in these goals was based on their determination to purchase high quality equipment, that was environmentally friendly, cost effective, and had easy access to customer support services. They had done their due diligence in seeking vendor quotes but were disappointed that the companies queried attempted to oversell without answering questions, accessing their unique situation or assisting with budget concerns.

Making goals a reality

Perfumer’s Apprentice goals have been realized through the purchase of two Halo Lab Air Filtration Systems and one Captair Smart ductless fume hood from Erlab. When asked if the company was satisfied with their purchases Travis McIntosh, PA, Fragrance Operations Manager in Scotts Valley, CA said: “Absolutely, and we are likely to make additional purchases. We are planning on a new work surface for the inside of the Captair hood, which should help us with using gram scales during formulations. Additionally, we are considering some of Erlab’s filtering storage cabinets for our more offensive and invasive volatiles.” Travis went on to express that Erlab’s safety experts fulfilled their promise of on-time delivery, installation and training with easy to follow operating instructions. Customer support going beyond expectations however was something he hadn’t expected. “Their support is better than I would have anticipated, and their staff is so friendly and down to earth. That was something I did not expect but very much appreciated.”

About Erlab

As the inventor of the ductless laboratory fume hood and worldwide leader since 1968, Erlab’s passion is to focus on the research and development, design, and manufacturing of cutting-edge toxic gas air filtration in the laboratory. As an industry innovator, Erlab is committed to safety, performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability, and has remained number one in the world for ductless fume hoods.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Innovation in Lab Energy, Efficiency, and Environmental Sustainability

Agricultural Crops Application Products

The challenges that lie ahead of us

As the world faces challenges never before seen due to the current global pandemic caused by COVID-19, we all have concerns with what life is going to look like moving forward. But, before we start looking too far into the future, we have to deal with the current situation and the lack of testing capabilities. The current backlog of tests keeps growing and results typically take 3-7 days to receive. There simply has to be more throughput and facilities capable of receiving and safely processing a high volume of samples. So, how can genomic centers, clinical labs and healthcare facilities transition from manual low volume sample throughput (2,000 samples, per day) to high throughput testing facilities which can run 10,000 – 20,000 samples, per day?

Getting the facility prepared to handle potential contagious specimens

First, the facility’s directors will have to start drawing out plans to adjust airflow and perhaps even build temporary walls to segregate all Covid-19 testing from other areas of the lab and create cleanroom space. Along with the conversion of lab space, the CDC recommends that the laboratory should be a BSL2 facility ­­at a minimum, which needs to be taken into consideration during re-design.

Secondly, the facility needs to consider equipment such as Bio Safety Cabinets (BSC’s) for sample preparation, where the sample goes through a process called Lysis, which is the breaking down of the cell membrane and aids in the separation of proteins.

After the Lysis process, the sample is added into a Lysate buffer solution, which helps release soluble proteins. Once in the buffer, the samples no longer have to be handled within a BSC. They are transferred into well plates and then can be transported to a high throughput liquid handling machine to proceed with the process of RNA extraction. All liquid handlers should however be placed in a (containment ventilation enclosure) CVE to protect from potential splashes and any possible aerosolization of the sample.

How to choose the right CVE for your application

First, safety should never be overlooked and therefore the CVE should not only provide protection from spills, but they should also be equipped with H14 HEPA filters to capture any potentially aerosolized pathogens. In addition to having a primary HEPA filter, the CVE, or fume hood, should also have the ability to integrate an added level of H14 HEPA filtration for safety redundancy. To further increase the level of safety, the ability to also add carbon filtration should be available in order to adsorb all the emissions, which may be generated from the solutions used during the extraction process (e.g., chloroform, phenol, and ammonium).

Simplicity by Design

As the leader in products designed with simplicity in mind, Erlab’s Captair SMART Express CVEs require absolutely zero construction and are set-up-in quickly with in-house personnel. This is possible due to the unique design, allowing all hoods (CVE’s) to be shipped erlab-technician-replacing-filter-in-fume-hood (Completely Knocked Down) CKD and set-up within minutes of delivery. While simple by design, all hoods maintain the most important factor – safety. All hoods meet ASHRAE 110, AFNOR NFX, and ANSI Z9.5 standards, ensuring containment and filtration efficiency.

To learn more about Erlab products and services related to this industry visit our website today. For immediate assistance contact an Erlab Safety Expert. Call 844-300-8191 or email, captairsales@erlab.com.

About Erlab

Inventor of the ductless laboratory fume hood and worldwide leader since 1968, Erlab’s passion is to focus on the research and development, design, and manufacturing of cutting-edge toxic gas air filtration in the laboratory. As an industry innovator, Erlab is committed to safety, performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability, and has remained number one in the world for ductless fume hoods.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Safe Alternatives to Ducted Fume Hoods (Webinar)

Seeing Is Believing – Demo of Captair Smart Ductless Filtering fume hood (Video)

From USP <797> to USP <800>

In 2004 many compounding pharmacies were challenged with how they were going to comply to USP <797> standards. Challenges such as; how were they going to design Cleanrooms into an area that more often than not, wasn’t conducive to a typical classroom setting and just as importantly, how were they going to implement the changes in their procedures of handling sterile drugs. The standards upgrade was designed to protect patients from microbial contamination, excessive bacterial endotoxins, and errors in the strength of correct ingredients. Fast forward to 2016 when USP <800> was published and implemented in December of 2019. Pharmacies once again face the challenges of how to outfit what is now their 797 compliant labs, with additional safety equipment that will add advanced protection for the pharmacy technicians. There are two separate compounding methods Sterile and Non-Sterile.

For each handling type, a containment primary engineering control, needs to be in place, which is a ventilated device designed to minimize the worker and environment from Hazardous Drug (HD) exposure. In addition to the containment primary engineering controls (C-PEC), there must be a containment secondary engineering control (C-SEC) which is the room in which the C-PEC’s are placed.

Sterile and non-sterile compounding – choosing the right C-PEC

First, it is important to know that all C-PEC’s which are used for STERILE Compounding, must be externally vented, which also provides an ISO 5 environment within the enclosure, ensuring product and user protection. The most commonly used BSC is a Class IIA2 which provides 70% recirculated air and 30% exhausted air. However, there are other acceptable types, such as the B1, and B2. Secondly, the room that the C-SEC is in must be an ISO 7 Cleanroom with 30 Air changes per hour (ACPH) and maintain positive pressure.

Any non-sterile compounding, must be performed within class I BSC, or a containment ventilated enclosure (CVE), which is BSC Classifications either externally vented, or has redundant HEPA filters, in series.

With non-sterile compounding there are also some changes in the requirements of the C-SEC, such as the reduction of ACPH down from 30 to 12 and the change of a positive pressure room, to a negative pressure room, as the critical environment does not need to be ISO classified. However, though, not a sterile environment, 797 standards should still be followed.

Uncompromised safety

As the experts in air filtration for the protection of laboratory personal, Erlab’s Captair SMART CVE’s are designed to allow for redundant filtration in series for either HEPA, or Carbon, or a combination of both. This design ensures safety during a number of different handling applications, which includes powders, API’s, HD’s, and liquid chemicals. As part of our 5 Steps to Safety process, we go through multiple stages of validation of your handling process to ensure your safety is never compromised.

About Erlab

As the inventor of the ductless laboratory fume hood and worldwide leader since 1968, Erlab’s passion is to focus on the research and development, design, and manufacturing of cutting-edge toxic gas air filtration in the laboratory. As an industry innovator, Erlab is committed to safety, performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability, and has remained number one in the world for ductless fume hoods.

Success story: All upgrades at Butler Universities many labs were achieved without adding any additional HVAC. The cost of the renovation project was decreased by 10% and the annual operating cost was reduced by $51,000 per year.

THE SCOPE

Butler University, a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana, is ranked #1 in midwest colleges by US News. The university offers impressive academic majors, with their chemistry and organic chemistry labs located at Gallahue Hall. Here students learn about the role chemistry plays in the synthesis of drugs and other molecules, as well as ways to measure water quality, how chemistry interacts with biology, and environmental science.

With the growing demand for laboratory usage, the existing HVAC system was inadequate to handle the air change required thus causing overwhelming noxious odors. This created tremendous air quality issues, forcing Butler to make a decision; either upgrade the HVAC system, which would have been a significant investment and not financially feasible, or look into alternative solutions that would be both cost effective, and, most importantly, safe.

Through detailed analysis of their options and a recommendation from BSA Life Structures to look into filtered fume hood options, it became clear that only filtration would provide a logical solution. Additionally this choice would allow for adding hoods, increasing safety in the lab, and provide flexibility for changes and future growth with no added HVAC infrastructure.

THE CHALLENGE

For Erlab and the BSA engineers it was critical to fully understand chemical handlingButler Lab_9 requirements within the hoods in order to provide an optimum solution. Critical to a successful outcome was determining a configuration that would allow maximum filter life while maintaining the stringent safety standards. It is especially challenging in an academic environment where changing curriculum requirements need to be anticipated in order to provide a solution that is flexible and adaptable for future needs. Erlab, sharing over 50 years of field expertise, worked with the teaching staff and EHS, as well as facility maintenance staff, to fully understand and bring the project to fruition.

THE SOLUTION

Butler’s fume hoods are utilized for a wide variety of applications that include pouring, transferring and refluxing procedures. To fully meet the chemistry labs needs, Erlab initially furnished (30) Green Fume Hoods that utilized its advanced filtration technology. Based on the success of the first installation, Butler decided to install (12) additional Erlab’s Captair filtered fume hoods for its rotary evaporators.

To further enhance student safety in the lab, Butler decided to leverage Erlab’s full eco system and added (2) Erlab Captair filtering storage cabinets and Erlab’s HALO whole room air filtration system in the synthesis lab. The Halo specifically addressed an issue of emissions, which were generated from their solvent recovery system.

All upgrades were achieved without adding any additional HVAC. The cost of the renovation project was decreased by 10% and the annual operating cost was reduced by $51,000 per year.

In addition to these significant savings, Erlab was able to improve upon the safety of the faculty and students, by providing:

• Increased safety through filtration, detection and communication
• Increased hood capacity
• Balanced rooms (proper pressurization)
• Improved indoor air quality

Diagrams of Chemistry Teaching Labs HVAC System:

BEFORE

AFTER INSTALLATION OF DUCTLESS FUME HOODS

THE RESULTS

After 5 years of continuous operation, the results are in and expectations were surpassed.

Operational impacts:

• 42% increase in student enrollment in the chemistry program
• $50,000+ annual operating cost savings.
• Filters lasted a full 5 years, 25% longer than expected.
• Improved IAQ and safety.
• Annual operating costs for each 6-foot hood is just $1,065, including periodic acid detector replacement.

Construction savings:

• $66,000 net construction cost savings (10% reduction).
• 3-month (27%) reduction in project timeline.

Erlab has been collaborating with Butler University for over 8 years, assisting in numerous laboratory upgrades that have added real value for their students and faculty.

“We have used the filtered fume hoods since 2010 Butler Lab_5in our teaching laboratories and have been very pleased with their performance. We have been able to manage routine maintenance on the hoods internally. Because of our experiences with the filtered fume hoods, we have also added several benchtop enclosures for rotary evaporators in our teaching and in our research labs.”

S. O’Reilly – Professor of Chemistry and
Biochemistry / Butler University