Research

Isopropyl Alcohol Infiltration in Modern IVF Labs: A Review of Persistent Airborne Toxins

A peer-reviewed poster abstract presented at the ASRM Annual Scientific Congress, October 2024, examining isopropyl alcohol infiltration as a persistent airborne toxin in modern IVF laboratories. Isopropyl alcohol is widely used as a disinfectant in clinical and laboratory environments and generates airborne VOC contamination that can infiltrate IVF incubator environments and culture media. The study reviews the persistence of IPA in the IVF laboratory air environment and its potential impact on embryo culture conditions and outcomes, contributing to the growing evidence base for maintaining VOC levels well below current clinical thresholds in fertility medicine. Presented at ASRM Annual Scientific Congress, October 2024. Authors: Orsolini, M.; Schenkman, E.; Russack, J.; Huynh, H.; Schust, D.; Raburn, D.; Worrilow, K.C.; Fox, J.T.

Research

Predicting Airborne Volatile Organic Compound Transport in Highly Sensitive In Vitro Processes and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Facilities with Kinetic Models

A peer-reviewed study published in Applied In Vitro Toxicology, Volume 11, Issue 4, 2025, presenting kinetic models for predicting the transport of airborne volatile organic compounds into cell culture systems in highly sensitive in vitro processes and biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. Building on prior equilibrium partitioning modeling work, this study addresses a fundamental knowledge gap regarding the rate of VOC partitioning into cell cultures — critical for understanding how airborne contamination affects both IVF embryo culture outcomes and cell and gene therapy manufacturing processes. The models demonstrate how VOC transport rates from ambient air into culture media can be predicted and managed, with direct implications for air quality standards in IVF laboratories and biopharmaceutical cleanrooms. Published in Applied In Vitro Toxicology, Volume 11, Issue 4, 2025. Authors: Russack, J.S.; Fox, J.T.; Huynh, H.T.; Worrilow, K.C.; Brown, D.G.

Research

Low-Level Volatile Organic Compounds Disrupt Embryo Morphokinetics and Development in Murine Preimplantation Embryos

A peer-reviewed poster abstract published in Fertility and Sterility, October 2024, examining the impact of low-level volatile organic compounds on embryo morphokinetics and development in murine preimplantation embryos. Current IVF guidelines recommend maintaining VOC levels between 400 and 800 ppb, yet this study presents emerging evidence that VOCs below that threshold can adversely affect specific metrics of embryogenesis. Using time-lapse analysis, the study assessed the impact of low-level VOC exposure on developmental timing across multiple embryo stages. The findings strengthen the scientific rationale for maintaining VOC concentrations well below current clinical thresholds in IVF laboratory environments. Published in Fertility and Sterility, October 2024. Authors: Orsolini, M.; Schenkman, E.; Russack, J.S.; Huynh, H.T.; Schust, D.J.; Worrilow, K.C.; Fox, J.T.

Research

Mastering Clinical Embryology: Good Practice, Clinical Biology, Assisted Reproductive Technologies, and Advanced Laboratory Skills

A peer-reviewed textbook chapter published in Mastering Clinical Embryology: Good Practice, Clinical Biology, Assisted Reproductive Technologies, and Advanced Laboratory Skills (CRC Press, March 2024). Chapter 2, authored by Dr. Kathryn C. Worrilow and Alicia R. Urrutia of LifeAire Systems, examines the relationship between IVF cell culture environments, volatile organic compound contamination, and air quality management in assisted reproductive technology laboratories. The chapter reviews the scientific evidence for VOC impact on embryo development, the mechanisms by which airborne chemical contaminants infiltrate culture media and affect preimplantation embryos, and the clinical rationale for comprehensive air quality control as a standard of practice in modern IVF programs. Published in CRC Press, March 2024. Authors: Worrilow, K.C.; Urrutia, A.R.

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Research

The clinical and environmental effects of an advanced air purification technology in multiple healthcare settings

A peer-reviewed study published in Science and Technology for the Built Environment examining the clinical and environmental effects of LifeAire’s advanced air purification technology across multiple healthcare settings — an acute care hospital and a long-term care facility. The study synthesizes environmental and clinical outcome data from both settings, demonstrating that LifeAire’s multi-stage system, designed to inactivate the genetic material of all airborne pathogens and remediate volatile organic compounds, produced consistent, measurable improvements across both facility types. Originally presented at the 2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference in Toronto. Published in Science and Technology for the Built Environment, Volume 29, Issue 9, October 2023. DOI: 10.1080/23744731.2023.2266349. Authors: Urrutia, A.R.; Stawicki, S.P.; Kimble, C.N.; Worrilow, K.C.

Research

Clinical and Economic Outcomes from the Installation of an Advanced Air Purification Technology in a Long Term Care Facility

A peer-reviewed short commentary published in the Journal of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine examining the clinical and economic outcomes of LifeAire’s advanced air purification technology in a long-term care facility over 15 months. The study compared LifeAire’s multi-stage system — combining VOC filtration, high-dose UV germicidal irradiation, and HEPA filtration — against standard HEPA filtration in a memory support unit. Documented outcomes included a 98.83% reduction in airborne pathogens, an 89.88% reduction in VOC levels, a 39.6% reduction in facility-acquired infections, and a 47% reduction in staff call-outs. The findings demonstrate meaningful improvements in resident wellness, safety, and facility economics. Published in Journal of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, July 2023. DOI: 10.24966/GGM-8662/100177. Authors: Urrutia, A.R.; Eid, S.; Bock, K.A.; Worrilow, K.C.

Research

Clean Room Technology in ART Clinics: A Practical Guide

A practical reference book on clean room technology in assisted reproductive technology clinics, co-authored by Dr. Kathryn C. Worrilow, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of LifeAire Systems, alongside Sandro C. Esteves and Alex C. Varghese. The book addresses the design, implementation, and management of controlled environments in IVF and ART laboratories, with coverage of air quality standards, VOC contamination control, particulate management, and the environmental factors that directly influence embryo culture outcomes and clinical success rates. Drawing on Dr. Worrilow’s more than 20 years of IVF laboratory directorship and her foundational research into the impact of ambient air on human embryogenesis, the book serves as a comprehensive resource for embryologists, laboratory directors, and ART clinic administrators seeking to optimize their facility’s environmental standard. Published via Amazon. Authors: Esteves, S.C.; Varghese, A.C.; Worrilow, K.C.

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Research

The Effects of an Advanced Air Purification Technology on Environmental and Clinical Outcomes in a Long-Term Care Facility

A peer-reviewed, IRB-approved study examining the impact of LifeAire’s advanced air purification technology on environmental and clinical outcomes in a long-term care memory support facility over a 15-month period. The study compared a LifeAire-protected unit with a HEPA-only control unit on the same floor, measuring airborne and surface pathogen burden, facility-acquired infection rates, and staff absenteeism. Documented outcomes in the LifeAire-protected unit included an 89.1% reduction in airborne pathogens, an 88.9% reduction in surface pathogens, a 39.6% reduction in facility-acquired infections, and a 47% reduction in staff call-outs. The findings confirm that advanced air purification delivers measurable improvements in both clinical outcomes and operational performance in long-term care environments. Published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 78, Issue 12, 2023. Authors: Urrutia, A.R.; Schlener, S.D.; Eid, S.; Bock, K.A.; Worrilow, K.C.

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Research

Proven Impact of an Advanced Air Purification System in the Reduction of Infectious Airborne and Surface Pathogens, Concomitant Reduction of Hospital-acquired Infections and Length of Stay, and Improvement in Health-care Economics

A peer-reviewed, IRB-approved operational clinical study examining the impact of LifeAire’s advanced air purification technology on airborne and surface pathogen burden, hospital-acquired infection rates, patient length of stay, and healthcare economics. Conducted at St. Luke’s University Health Network, the study compared a LifeAire-protected unit with a HEPA-only control unit over 12 months across 8,255 patients. Documented outcomes in the protected unit included a 99.99% reduction in viable airborne pathogens, a 97% reduction in surface pathogens, a 30% reduction in hospital-acquired infections, a 39% reduction in patient length of stay, and a 23% improvement in per-bed economics. Published in the Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, March 2023.

Research

The Positive Impact of a Novel Air Purification Technology on Environmental and Clinical Outcomes

A peer-reviewed conference abstract examining the impact of LifeAire’s advanced air purification technology on environmental and clinical outcomes in a long-term care facility. The study deployed LifeAire’s system in a memory support unit and compared environmental and clinical metrics against a HEPA-only control unit on the same floor. The technology, designed to destroy the DNA and RNA of all bacteria, fungi, and viruses on a single pass while also remediating volatile organic compounds, produced measurable improvements in airborne and surface pathogen burden, facility-acquired infection rates, and staff absenteeism. Published in Innovation in Aging, Volume 5, Supplement 1, December 2021. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting. Authors: Schlener, S.D.; Urrutia, A.R.; Worrilow, K.C.; Bock, K.