The Innovive Information Exchange presents information regarding ammonia levels in rodent cages and how a Disposable IVC System can help keep ammonia levels low.

1. The Innovive Information Exchange
Disposable IVC System & Ammonia Levels
presented by

2. Why are ammonia
levels important?
High levels of ammonia can have adverse effects on:
• The rodents health and welfare
• The employee’s health and welfare
• The science
“Ammonia toxicity causes biochemical and mid-respiratory and nasal epithelial
damage. In rodent housing situations, ammonia is often used as a bio-indicator to
assess rodent well-being, and directly applicable to a wide array of housing and
management regimes.” {1}
{1} www.omicsonline.org/open-access/a-quick-method-to-assess-rodent-cage-ammonia-levels-2157-7579-1000297.php?aid=67575

3. What are the
current standards?
The suggested frequency of cage changing can only
be estimated; on the basis of existing literature, it
seems prudent to change cages when the ammonia
concentration reaches 50 ppm.{2}
OSHA standards are often cross-applied to rodents in lieu of established
regulatory standards for them.{3}
It is suggested, on the basis of guidelines for
human exposure{4}
and a liberal reading of the available veterinary literature, that
intracage concentrations of 50 ppm of ammonia should lead to cage changing.{2}
{2} Silverman J., Bays D.W. & Baker SP. 2009. “Ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations in disposable and reusable static mouse cages”.
Lab Animal, Volume 38, No. 1; pages 16–23
{3} Thomas L, Montgomery CBS, Wimsatt J (2016) A Quick Method to Assess Rodent Cage Ammonia Levels. J Veterinar Sci Technol 7:297.
doi:10.4172/2157-7579.1000297
{4} The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard is 50 ppm over an 8-hour period. SOURCE: United States Department of
Labor. “Chemical Sampling Information”. United States Department of Labor, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.

4. What can have an
effect on ammonia levels?
There are many factors that can contribute to ammonia
variables, but some of the most common are:
• Bedding
• Gender
• Species
• Number of rodents in a cage
“Our data show that ammonia levels within a cage can
vary greatly, depending on both the sex of the mice and
the housing density.” {5}
{5} www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3228923/

5. How can ammonia
be measured?
One way is the Dräger’s Multi-PID 2,
which is a portable gas detector that
provides reliable detection of volatile
organic compounds.
It uses PID technology (Photo-Ionization
Detection) to emit an UV light source
to breakdown the Volatile Organic
Compound (VOCs) in the air into positive
and negative ions.
www.draeger.com/sites/assets/PublishingImages/Products/cin_multi-pid_2/UK/9044774-MultiPid-PI-EN-270913-fin.pdf
Dräger Multi-PID 2

6. How can ammonia
be measured?
Another way is the RAE Systems
colorimetric gas detection tubes, which
enable quick, on-the-spot measurement
of a wide range of toxic and combustible
gases and vapors.
RAE Systems tubes provide a sharp,
clear color change directly corresponding
to the concentration of gas present. RAE
Systems tubes are a reliable way to draw
samples of an exact volume required for
the most accurate measurements.
www.raegasdetection.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=30&ParentCat=9x
RAE Systems Colorimetic Tubes

7. What are the benefits
of lower ammonia levels?
Lower ammonia levels can help:
• Reduce rodent stress
• Reduce employee exposure
• Reduce cage handling
• Reduce cage change costs

8. How does the Innovive system
help with ammonia levels?
Our IVC racks use constant-pressure
plenums and low velocity airflow to deliver
high precision-controlled ventilation into
every cage position.
This results in a more efficient evacuation
of gases from the cage and allows for low
ammonia levels throughout an extended
cage change schedule.

9. Studies show…
“Under all test conditions, low or undetectable
levels of NH3 were present. Even with the
highest density measured, average NH3 levels
were less than 30 ppm. These results indicate
a 14-day change out, and in most cases, even
a longer period is suitable for all the tested
configurations.”
2012 Innovive performance report

10. Studies show…
“In summary, our findings indicate that
the disposable IVC studied performed
satisfactorily under the conditions used. NH3
levels were equal to or less than 3.2 ppm
over the course of 9d, and CO2 levels never
rose above 0.3% (3000 ppm). Temperature
and humidity remained within the secondary
enclosure boundaries of the Guide...”
Ammonia and Carbon Dioxide Concentrations in Disposable and Reusable Ventilated Mouse Cages
Jerald Silverman, David W Bays, Sheldon F Cooper, and Stephen P Baker

11. Download the
complete list of
ammonia studies in an
easy-to-read eBook.

12. See Disposable Differently.
www.innovive.com