Scientific research in laboratories thrives on experimentation for which maintaining a controlled environment is crucial. One of the most important pieces of laboratory equipment that induces sterility and a controlled environment is the laminar air flow or LAF cabinet. The laminar air flow hoods are tools that play a significant role in different fields like biotechnology, microbiology, and pharmaceuticals.
Let us dive into the top reasons why the presence of a laminar air flow hood is indispensable for laboratories.
Laminar flow cabinets help create a sterile or particle-free environment in the workplace through a filtration system. This is vital because millions of particles float in the air and it may comprise bacteria, viruses, and fungi that may land on the objects and contaminate the experiments. To make sure that sterile and clean air flows over the tools, investing in a laminar air flow cabinet is essential.
- Remove a majority of particles from air
The laminar air flow bench has a HEPA filter to eliminate 99.99% of particles with diameters ranging around 0.3 microns. If your filtration needs are higher, you need to have the ULPA filters for cleaner workstations where particles in the range of 0.12 microns can be eliminated easily.
- Safety of researchers
While the laminar air flow cabinets help remove the smallest contaminants from the air, they also keep the researchers working in the laboratory safe. Here are the categories of workstations of laminar air flow:
- Class 1 workstations safeguard researchers from being exposed to vapours, dust, toxic fumes, dust, and all kinds of chemicals that are released during the reactions.
- Class 2 workstations aid in microbiological and biological experiments by ensuring that the air in the surroundings is sterile and does not contaminate cell culture
- Class 3 workstations guarantee maximum safety and do not permit gases to escape outside and hence are suitable for handling dangerous materials.
- Appropriate for medical laboratories
Precision and safety are the two vital pillars of scientific researches. Accordingly, the laminar air flow hoods trigger chemical reactions that help synthesise pharmaceutical drugs by removing pollutants that may destroy the balance needed to sustain the reaction. The testing of drugs responsible for killing bacteria and viruses require sterile environments to persist in laboratories. Similarly, tasks like isolation of viruses need to be carried out in uncontaminated environments. Naturally, laminar air flow hoods are one of the most significant tools to be used for this purpose.
- Cost-effective tool
Although the initial investment for the cabinet may seem higher, you need to check the long-term benefits. That way, you can justify the investment. A tool that reduces the risk of contamination saves product loss, repair cost, and other expenses in laboratories.
- Fire and chemical-resistant
Safety is of essence when it comes to laboratory research work. That is why the laminar air flow bench needs to resist chemicals, fire, and corrosion. Often, manufacturers include special gears in this equipment based on the requests of the clients. If you have special requirements and need to make your laboratory chemical or fire-resistant, you can convey them to the manufacturer if they have customisation options.
- Environment-friendly
It is undoubtedly true that the laminar air flow bench is a complex piece of equipment, the operation is pretty simple. It uses power where you need to plug the equipment into the electrical outlets on the walls. Therefore, it does not consume much electricity. Moreover, the recycled air replaces the carbon-filed air, making it environment-friendly equipment.
How does the laminar air flow hood work?
You are familiar that the laminar air flow hood traps the smallest of contaminants in the laboratory but here is a glimpse of how it works:
- The laminar air flow cabinet makes the air move in the same speed and the same direction
- The device lets air inside which initially moves through a pre filter
- The fan or the blower directs air to HEPA filters
- The HEPA filters trap the contaminants within the air like viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
- The outside air does not enter the cabinet as it is closed on the sides.
Laminar air flow hoods are essential to research laboratories and ensure precision in scientific studies. If you are also planning to buy one for the laboratory, invest in industrial-quality equipment from IGene Labserve for guaranteed cleanliness in work stations and take your laboratory to the next level. Click here https://www.igenels.com/ to explore the features and specifications of cabinets today.