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Proper temperature for the laboratory

Lab Safety Advisor, March 13, 2007

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has guidelines covering temperature range and air-exchange rates.

As laboratories add more automated equipment, the room temperature goes up due to the amount of heat generated. Old labs are often a composite of several small rooms that lack the proper circulation and ventilation. If it is too hot, the equipment doesn't work properly and the lab results are erroneous.

Temperature in the lab should be maintained at 65º-70º F with humidity between 35%-55%.

ASHRAE also states that air exchange is important. Twelve exchanges per hour remove 99% of airborne particulates in 23 minutes.

Armed with this information, laboratory management should work with the facility's engineering department to assure employee comfort.

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