Why Measure Air Quality in Veterinary Clinics?

Routine tasks—anesthesia, sterilization, cleaning, and tissue handling—can expose your team to chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and respiratory disease. Measuring what’s in the air lets you prevent problems, document controls, and protect staff without disrupting patient care.  

Key chemicals of concern 

Ethylene Oxide (ETO) — gas sterilant; known human carcinogen 

• Health risks. Exposure can cause respiratory irritation acutely and long-term effects including cancer and reproductive harm, which is why regular measurement is emphasized for workplaces using or receiving ETO-sterilized goods. 
• EPA: risk at very low levels. The EPA recently tightened controls on sterilizers after determining risk occurs at much lower concentrations than previously assumed (PPB versus PPM)—reinforcing the need to eliminate even lower exposures.  
• Hidden exposure potential. Packaging and devices sterilized with ETO can retain ETO and release it when opened (receiving, stocking, pack-prep). Monitoring these spots helps confirm controls are working.  
• Odor won’t warn you. ETO can be present without a noticeable smell; measurement is the only reliable check.  

Air by CCSquared offers high-sensitivity ETO sampling and analysis through an ISO 17025:2017–accredited laboratory, with methods tuned for veterinary clinic use.Shape 

Halogenated Anesthetics (Isoflurane & Sevoflurane) — waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) 

Why they matter. These agents are used daily so small leaks or imperfect seals can create repeated, hard-to-notice exposures. Acute symptoms commonly reported by users include severe headaches, fatigue, and balance issues; chronic exposure has been associated with central-nervous-system effects, dose-related cardiopulmonary impacts, and fertility concerns (e.g., miscarriages and birth defects). 

What “too much” looks like. In the U.S., the commonly accepted exposure limit for halogenated anesthetics is 2 ppm (also the legal limit in California). This figure traces back to NIOSH and predates today’s dominant agents, which is why many authorities advise minimizing WAGs to the lowest practical level until modern RELs are finalized. In short, any detectable, ongoing exposure deserves attention—especially if chronic. Because many U.S. programs still reference a 2 ppm exposure limit (and California enforces 2 ppm), clinics are expected to keep levels low. Our significantly improved measurement methods let you measure isoflurane and sevoflurane specifically, ruling out false positives (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol etc) and giving you confidence in next steps.Shape 

Formaldehyde — fixatives and indoor air hazard; known human carcinogen 

Why it matters. Even low concentrations can irritate eyes and airways; long-term exposure increases cancer and asthma risk. In vet settings, formaldehyde comes from formalin (the tissue fixative) and from background indoor air—especially off-gassing from pressed-wood products like particle board and plywood—plus chemistry driven by outdoor ozone that infiltrates and reacts indoors. The sum of these sources can reach levels of concern, which is why we recommend measuring formaldehyde to verify that controls are effective. 

EPA context. In 2024, the EPA identified a chronic inhalation reference concentration (RfC) for formaldehyde of 7 µg/m³ (approximately 6 ppb). We recommend keeping clinic air at or below this RfC to align with current health-protective guidance. 

Our accredited methods measure formaldehyde below the EPA’s 7 µg/m³ reference concentration (~6 ppb), so you can track indoor levels confidently and take actions that lower long-term health risks.Shape 

Glutaraldehyde — cold sterilant; potent respiratory irritant/sensitizer 

Why it matters. Repeated exposure can lead to asthma, chronic bronchitis, and persistent sensitivity. Busy clinics are vulnerable to open-tray use, pour-ups from concentrate, and neutralization/disposal steps that release vapors—making periodic measurement an important check.Shape 

How Air by CCSquared Helps 

• Clinic-tuned methods. Built on OSHA/NIOSH foundations and refined for real veterinary-clinic interferences (isopropanol, ammonia, fragrances), so results reflect true risk—not sensor noise. 
• Accredited analysis. Samples are analyzed in an ISO 17025:2017 laboratory with formal, defensible reports. 
• Specificity where it counts. We focus on removing the effects of common clinic interferents—ammonia and alcohols like isopropanol and ethanol—so you can trust chemical-specific findings. 
• Clear next steps. Reports translate numbers into practical actions (ventilation checks, work-practice tweaks, and follow-up sampling plans) to close the loop quickly.