Discovery is driven by laboratories at the forefront of discovery, advancing science, medicine and technology. Yet, while skilled scientists and sophisticated instruments are necessary for achieving accuracy and reliability in research, it takes more than this to do research; more specifically it depends on the management of environmental factors in the lab. Temperature, humidity, air quality, noise and lighting are all critical lab conditions without which experimental outcomes may be affected, sample integrity compromised and lab safety put at risk. Factors to understand and tools used for an environmental measurement tool are essential for lab success. Fortunately, Sper Scientific offers a wide array of high-quality instruments to help labs maintain optimal conditions so that you can have precise results and a safe work environment.

How Environmental Factors Affect Laboratories

Laboratories are very sensitive places, so even minor variations can cause dramatic experimental variation. Chemical reactions are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, high humidity can contaminate samples, poor air quality can damage delicate equipment, noise can affect the functionality of sensitive instruments continuously, and lack of good lighting can make the work inaccurate. They can then control these elements to minimize errors, protect staff and samples, as well as to comply with regulatory standards.

Key Environmental Factors in Laboratories

Below is the breakdown of each key environmental factor, explaining what the effect of that factor can be upon laboratory outcomes, what the adverse side effects from poor control of those conditions, how to control that condition appropriately and at what ideal levels labs should strive to maintain.

Temperature

Impact: Temperature stability is vital, especially in laboratories handling biological, chemical, or physical samples. The consistency in maintaining your temperature maintains the reagents proven, and samples intact, in order to provide reproducible results.

• Optimum Range: General labs require 20–25°C (68–77°F), with tighter control possible for specific laboratories,
• Effects of Poor Control:
• Enzymatic and Chemical Activity: Temperature fluctuations can result in acceleration, deceleration or interruption of a reaction that can lead to inaccurate results.
• Sample Integrity: Biological samples may degrade and their viability or data quality is lost.
• Instrumental Errors: With varying temperatures, calibrated instruments may read differently than they do for specific temperatures.
• Maintenance Tips:
• Monitor fluctuations in lab areas by installing temperature sensors across the lab.
• Sensitive materials should be stored in temperature-controlled storage (e.g., refrigerators or incubators).
• Temperature-sensitive equipment must be regularly calibrated to get accurate readings.
• Suggested Instrument: Sper Scientific Digital Temperature Monitor with Remote Sensor and Frost Point Alarm
• It is an indoor and outdoor temperature monitor so it's great for refrigerators, incubators and labs. Contains high/low-temperature alarms and frost point warnings.

Air Quality

Impact: The protection of researchers from exposure to hazardous particles or fumes and prevention of sample contamination demands good air quality. Good ventilation prevents volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust and microbes from getting out of control.

• Optimum Range: 6-12 air changes per hour are recommended to keep contaminants low.
• Effects of Poor Control:
• Sample Contamination: Sensitive experiments can be compromised by dust and airborne microbes, resulting in incorrect results.
• Equipment Damage: Particulate loading in an instrument can disrupt instrument performance or cause malfunctions.
• Health Hazards: Exposure to harmful chemicals or allergens can lower ground personnel productivity and safety in poor air quality.
• Maintenance Tips:
• Use high-efficiency air filters to trap particles and contaminants.
• Contain and extract gases or vapors that are hazardous.
• Monitor air quality with sensors, and have clean HVAC systems.
• Suggested Instrument: Sper Scientific Indoor Air Quality Meter.
• With alarms for CO2 thresholds, these are CO2 measures, humidity and temperature measures, and suited for public areas, or crowded indoor spaces like labs and offices.

Humidity 

Impact: Sample preservation and the equipment life are all influenced by humidity levels. At excessive humidity, microbes grow, and rust; at low humidity, static buildup can damage sensitive electronic equipment.

• Optimum Range: Ideally, laboratories require a 30-50% relative humidity.
• Effects of Poor Control:
• Moisture Buildup: Reagents and samples absorbing water are caused by high humidity, leading to erroneous measurements.
• Corrosion: Corrosion of equipment and storage containers can result in a loss of instrument accuracy and sample integrity.
• Static Electricity: Static buildup is increased with low humidity due to which sensitive electronics and analytical balances can be disrupted.
• Maintenance Tips:
• In humid environments, install dehumidifiers; in overly dry labs, install humidifiers.
• Hygrometers can be used to monitor humidity levels and the HVAC reduced cycle may need to be adjusted.
• If you store moisture-sensitive items, put desiccants inside so that the humidity does not damage them.
• Suggested Instrument: Sper Scientific Compact Temperature and Humidity Monitor
• Displays high/low alarms on tracks of local and remote humidity and temperature. To control humidity in greenhouses and storage areas.

Noise and Vibration

Impact: Noise and vibrations can cause concentration to falter, and prevent the use of precision instruments, resulting in inaccurate readings or experimental errors. Excessive ambient movement at the laboratories may create problems for vibration-sensitive equipment such as balances or microscopes.

• Optimum Range: Isolate areas for vibration-sensitive tasks below 65 dB for noise levels.
• Effects of Poor Control:
• Measurement Inaccuracy: Vibrations can interfere with precision instruments and create unreliable data.
• Researcher Fatigue: Any constant noise can cut into productivity and hinder focus and concentration.
• Equipment Wear: Long-term exposure to vibrations can destroy sensitive parts in lab equipment.
• Maintenance Tips:
• For sensitive equipment, use vibration-dampening tables.
• Preventive measures on soundproofing walls, floors, and ceilings to minimize external noise.
• Position large equipment on stable surfaces so the machinery does not move unnecessarily.
• Suggested Instrument: Sper Scientific Graphic Display Sound Meter
• The sound levels can be measured from 30 to 130 dB and have peak functions and fast and slow response settings, for noise control in research and production facilities.

Lighting

Impact: Correct recording of data and handling of samples requires adequate lighting. Excessive lighting can cause glare that blocks sight or inadequate lighting can strain technicians’ eyes causing an increased risk of error.

• Optimum Range: 500-1000 lux is recommended for a laboratory environment.
• Effects of Poor Control:
• Visual Errors: Such errors may be caused by insufficient lighting during the handling of samples and their measurements.
• Eye Fatigue: Low light, or light that is inconsistent, strains your eyes and hampers concentration and comfort.
• Efficiency Drops: Poor lighting conditions often slow down technicians or make their work inaccurate.
• Maintenance Tips:
• Areas that need to be done with precision need adjustable task lighting.
• Make sure to clean light fixtures to avoid dim lighting with time.
• Minimize glare by using diffused lighting while increasing visibility.
• Suggested Instrument: Sper Scientific Light Meter (Lux & Foot Candles)
• It measures normal visible light levels very accurately, keeping brightness at optimal levels for tasks involving precision.

Sper Scientific: Your Partner in Environmental Measurement

MSE Supplies is proud to announce a new company partner, Sper Scientific, as we broaden our lab offerings with the necessary tools to measure and maintain precise R&D conditions. Sper Scientific has been a leader in the market, both for reliability and innovation, for more than 35 years providing high-quality instruments supporting laboratories to achieve accuracy, compliance and safety.

Laboratories using Sper Scientific products can monitor and control vital environmental factors in order to improve data quality and operational efficiency. Their tools cover a wide range of categories, including:

• Temperature Measurement: Precise temperature monitoring and control from thermometers, data loggers and probes.
• Air Quality and Environmental Monitors: Instruments that assess air quality including particle detectors, carbon monoxide meters, humidity meters and multi-parameter environmental quality meters.
• Light and Sound Measurement: Light meters and sound level meters, with advanced options for data logging and Bluetooth functionality.
• Humidity and Moisture Instruments:  All sorts of devices for humidity and moisture tests: hygrometers, moisture meters, etc.
• Water Quality Meters: Refractometers, pH meters, TDS (total dissolved solids) meters, turbidity meters, and related tools for water quality analysis.
• Other Laboratory Tools: This category includes pressure transducers, anemometers, barometers, timers, and electromagnetic field meters, offering additional measurements for diverse laboratory needs.s.

Using these highly precise tools as you incorporate them into your lab’s routine will guarantee that you have a clean, dependable and reproducible environment. Sper Scientific is our partner and together we are able to give you the best in environmental measurement technology and help your workplace be as consistent and excellent as possible.

In laboratories, environmental control is central to reliable and repeatable research. Labs can optimize conditions for their teams and equipment by understanding and managing temperature, air quality, humidity, noise and lighting. Environmental measurement tools provided by Sper Scientific ensure labs meet these standards and provide both safety and precision in science.

Are you looking to optimize your laboratory environment? Learn more about important environmental measurements and lab solutions by following us on LinkedIn. On our website, you can see Sper Scientific’s full range of products or contact us today and let’s discuss your lab’s unique needs. MSE Supplies and Sper Scientific are your trusted partners and will ensure your lab’s success!

Source:

1. The Importance of Environmental Monitoring Systems in Laboratories. (n.d.). Rees Scientific. https://reesscientific.com/blog/importance-environmental-monitoring-systems-laboratories
2. Iqas. (2024, September 20). ISO 17025: How to Manage Environmental Factors in Your Laboratory. IQAS. https://www.iqascorp.com/post/iso-17025-how-to-manage-environmental-factors-in-your-laboratory