Laboratory ventilation is a fundamental strategy to control exposures to volatile chemicals. However,
laboratory ventilation systems are energy-intensive and developing innovative methods for incorporating
sustainable energy considerations into laboratory ventilation design and operation is an important concern
for successful 21st century laboratory institutions. This paper describes our use of two ANSI standards in the
development of a Laboratory Ventilation Management Program (LVMP) that balances health and safety
priorities with the sustainability goals of Cornell University.
Specifically, this LVMP applies the concept of continuous improvement of system performance described
by American National Standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (ANSI Z10-
2012) to the design and operational criteria for laboratory ventilation systems identified by the ANSI
Laboratory Ventilation Standard (ANSI Z9.5-2012). Within this LVMP, we identify key stakeholders, their
roles and responsibilities relative to the twin goals for the laboratory ventilation system of worker safety and
environmental sustainability, and indicators of progress that track the success of the system in meeting
these goals.