Oct 2024 | Orsolini, M., Schenkman, E., Russack, J., Huynh, H., Schust, D., Raburn, D., Worrilow, K.C., and Fox., J.T.
Presented as a poster presentation at ASRM, Oct. 2024.
OBJECTIVE:
This study evaluates the persistent presence of airborne isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in modern IVF laboratories, despite widespread perceived discontinuation of its use due to concerns over embryotoxicity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Air quality assessments were conducted across 27 IVF facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Greece, with a total of 37 unique air samples collected. All participating labs opted for testing either to investigate suspected air quality issues or establish baseline volatile organic compound (VOC) levels. Sampling followed U.S. EPA Method TO-15, utilizing vacuum-evacuated stainless-steel canisters with calibrated pressure regulators to collect air over an 8-hour period during peak laboratory activity. Samples were analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at an independent laboratory to quantify speciated VOC concentrations.
RESULTS:
The average level of isopropyl alcohol detected in the operational daytime IVF lab samples was 942.11 μg/m3 (383.86 ppb). In these samples, on average, IPA constitutes 76.8 % of the detected chemical load, compared to other VOCs profiled in EPA Method TO-15. IPA Levels greater than 500 μg/m3, the overall total VOC load upper bound recommended by the Cairo Consensus, were detected in 56.8% of samples.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite efforts to eliminate IPA from IVF labs, significant airborne levels persist. IPA is a constituent of cleaning products, including solvents and wipes, typically used in healthcare settings. Due to perceived embryotoxicity, its use in the IVF lab has been largely discontinued, and many laboratory directors have taken measures to remove all adjacent sources of this chemical. Extensive air quality analysis has demonstrated that IPA is still detectable at concerning levels in many IVF labs, likely due to infiltration from external sources. It is hypothesized that IPA’s high degree of volatility, favorable partitioning into airborne water droplets, and frequent use outside of the IVF lab contribute to this elevated cytotoxic burden. Additionally, IPA is a constituent of many cleaning products including wipes and sanitizing solvents, which may be innocently introduced into the culture environment unbeknownst to the lab staff.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
These findings underscore the need for rigorous air quality control in IVF facilities. Once in the ambient air within the laboratory, unknown cytotoxic VOCs may readily partition into the culture media, despite the use of oil overlay, and interface with the embryo. Removing airborne IPA sources from adjacent spaces and implementing design measures to isolate and remediate airborne contaminants from the IVF lab is critical to maintaining an optimal culture environment and consistent clinical outcomes.