Environmental quality within animal facilities.

Maintenance of environmental quality for laboratory animals involves more than heat and moisture production of animals or room air changes per hour. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning of animal facilities allows control of room temperature and humidity, cage microenvironment, gaseous and particulate contamination, air distribution and diffusion, air quality and temperature differentials. However, other factors may influence environmental quality: population density, species of animals, and husbandry and sanitation practices. Because of all of these considerations, animal facilities tend to be energy intensive. Recommended environmental conditions are designed to satisfy physiological requirements of animals but prevent physiologic and psychophysiologic stresses. Analytical studies will provide necessary information to attain these goals and simultaneously reduce energy expenditures or minimize the need for expensive control systems.