A fume hood is a ventilated enclosure in which gases, vapors and fumes are captured and removed from the work area. An exhaust fan situated on the top of the laboratory building pulls air and airborne contaminants through connected ductwork and exhausts them to the atmosphere.
Flammable solvents, corrosive acids, corrosive bases, combustible or potentially explosive concentrations of gases, irritating vapors or dust, asphyxiating gases, or open sources of volatile radionuclides are all examples of materials that must be used inside of a fume hood.