Improved air quality in IVF laboratories has shown to increase embryo yields and positively affect a variety of aspects of the IVF process [2-6]. However, a governing set of standards isn’t mandated globally, at least not currently. When referring to air quality in IVF laboratories, Sciorio et al [2] mentions, ‘specific regulatory frameworks mandating air quality control are limited, as are evidence-based guidelines.’ In Europe, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has a set of guidelines[1] (Air Quality referenced in section 3.2) that layout the ideal environment of an IVF laboratory. ESHRE quote IVF clinics should maintain GMP grade A, or at the least GMP grade D (international standard ISO 14644-1 classes 5 and 8, respectively) for laboratories where embryo work is ongoing.

A paper by Esteves SC and Bento FC [3] details why this level of laboratory control can be very important. The implementation of cleanroom level control (specifically the Brazilian Cells and Germinative Tissue Directive, ISO class 5 equivalent) in an IVF clinic led to an increase of roughly 38% in live birth rates, and a 30% reduction in miscarriage rates also. The reasons behind losses are complex in nature, from exposure of the mother to certain pathogens/particulates/chemicals after insemination as well as exposure of the gametes/embryos during growth in the clinic before insemination, but it was put forth that the generation of healthier embryos was the most likely causality of the improvement in this study. It should be noted that the Brazilian standard in this case, while similar to European standards (GMP grade A or ISO 14644-1 class 5), also included VOC filtering using an activated carbon filtration system. So, it is not purely particulate and microbe based, but inclusive of the total air quality.
In another study, Dr Palter et al [4] describes how the introduction of air purification technology into several IVF clinics created a strong positive outcome. The literature describes an increase in Blastocyst conversion rate (BCR), fetal cardiac activity (FCA), and ongoing pregnancy (OP) rates overall, as well as an overall decrease of ~27% in loss rate (LOR). 

Air quality in an IVF laboratory can be affected by a range of sources, some of which may be external to the laboratory itself. VOCs (as well as particulates and microbes) for instance can ingress into adjacent rooms/buildings. As an example, a paper by Hall et al [5] detailed how adjacent resurfacing of a parking area led to a large spike in Aldehydes in an IVF laboratory. Upon further investigation into how exposure of these aldehydes could affect the embryos, it was shown that an elevated presence in the culture environment had a large detrimental effect on the cell’s development.

VOCs, particulates, and microbial pathogens are all highly detrimental to the embryo development. Borges et al [6] details the reasons why microbial monitoring should be adopted (even though not always mentioned in lab control standards) as the potential outcomes of a microbial infection can be catastrophic for the developing embryo. 

Traditionally, much of the air monitoring in laboratories was performed as spot checks, as opposed to continuous monitoring. But with this, there were instances where outbreak events, or failings/breakdown in the environmental controlsystems, would be missed. And it is during these events that it would be most detrimental to proceed with embryonic interactions. With ongoing monitoring and alerting, staff are made aware of when not to interact with the embryos, allowing instead for preventative action to be undertaken to ensure the environment is appropriate.