The proper design of a toxicology lab is more than process and people. There are significant strategies to consider in the design. Layout and planning for the safety of the occupants is essential but equally important is the design and implementation of supporting infrastructure. Understanding the requirements of toxicology laboratories and implementing new systems to monitor them can help meet the design demands that the toxicology process requires of the space while still saving facility costs and maintenance for the life of the facility.

Before considering money saving solutions for energy efficiency, the laboratory must first be designed for the safety of its occupants. Fume hoods are the major line of defense in the utilization of chemical hazards in a toxicology laboratory. By definition, fume hoods are not energy efficient, but their inefficiency serves the purpose of safety.

Toxicology laboratories generate significant safety and energy demands on a facility. The requirement by facility owners to reduce energy consumption while maintaining a safe environment for scientists remains strong. Building infrastructure cannot solve all the energy issues. Space programming, laboratory layout, and laboratory equipment all need to be reviewed with an eye to reducing energy in conjunction with a focus on safety. Bringing the entire design team of engineers, architects, and laboratory planners to the table at the planning stage of laboratory design will benefit the project and allow for toxicology laboratory facilities to be as energy efficient as possible.

From: Change Is in the Air: Safety and Design of Toxicology Laboratories by Matthew Pettit and Susan Halla