Science stinks. Don’t take that the wrong way, because science is great, but sometimes really stinky. Chemicals can be extremely smelly and so can many other aspects of running a lab. Although a scientist can’t run a lab that avoids every foul-smelling thing or process, that doesn’t mean that lab personnel must work in stench. To avoid that, though, some steps must be taken.
One of those steps actually does involve lab sinks. For a smelly sink, it’s not what’s in it, but what isn’t. As the U.S. National Research Council’s Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals states: “Keep water in drain traps, particularly for floor drains or sinks used infrequently. Vapors emitted from dry, unsealed drains may cause an explosive or flammable condition; such vapors are also the most common source of unexplained laboratory odors.” To fix that problem, just run water into the drain for 20–30 seconds to fill the drain’s trap. If it’s a largely unused sink or drain, that trap water will evaporate over time, and the repair process must be repeated.
Just de-stinking the sinks, though, won’t be enough. There’s much more to do.
Sources of smells
The extent of what can cause odors in a lab depends on what a lab does. Pretty much every lab that does any wet science must contend with smells. As a first thought, it seems like a hood could handle the problem, but not all of them. As the NRC guide states: “There are many types of laboratory equipment and apparatus that generate vapors and gases but should not be used in a conventional fume hood.” As examples, it mentions atomic absorption spectrophotometers, gas chromatographs, ovens, and vacuum pumps. “If the vapors or gases emitted by this type of equipment are hazardous or noxious, or if it is undesirable to release them into the laboratory because of odor or heat, then they should be contained and removed using local exhaust equipment,” the guide explains.
Even things stored in lab cabinets can stir up a stink. “Particularly odoriferous substances such as mercaptans have such a low odor threshold that even with meticulous housekeeping the odors persist; hence, ventilation may be desired,” the NRC guide notes. So, just general lab exhaust might not be enough. Specific ventilation systems might be required for some storage areas.
Disposing of scents
It’s not just what a lab stores, but also what it discards that can cause odor issues. One example is animal bedding. So, NuAire (Plymouth, MN) makes Animal Bedding Disposal Stations. The company notes that this product will “create a safe and efficient environment when disposing of animal cage waste.” It adds: “Class I Personnel Protection ensures lab technicians will not be affected by odors, aerosols, or lab animal dander.”
Some other actions can also clean up a lab’s air. For example, IMTEK Environmental Corporation (Alpharetta, GA) makes the Smelleze Reusable Lab Smell Deodorizer Pouch, which absorbs odors and chemicals.
For some stubborn smells, only elbow grease—sort of—will do the job. For example, NuAire’s AireGard Clean Air Scrubber, the company states, is “a portable self-contained unit capable of filtering particulates, odors, and fumes, depending on filter configuration.”
Most anything—including the lab sink—could be the culprit stinking up a lab. To make the nicest work environment, proactive smell abatement surpasses reactive struggles. So, even if science stinks, labs don’t need to reek.