What is the purpose of smoke testing in evaluating containment in lab ventilation?

• A. To visually verify that airflows are directed away from the work area and that containment is effective.
• B. To measure particulate concentration.
• C. To disinfect surfaces.
• D. To test chemical reactivity.

Answer: (A)

Smoke testing uses visible smoke to visualize how air actually flows in and around a containment area. By releasing harmless smoke and watching its path, you can see whether the air is being drawn away from the work zone, whether room pressurization is being maintained, and where any leaks or unwanted airflow paths might exist. This makes it a quick, intuitive way to confirm that containment features—such as barriers, doors, seals, and exhaust paths—are functioning as intended and that contaminants don’t escape into protected areas.

This approach is qualitative and observational, which is why it’s especially useful during commissioning or routine checks to catch obvious problems. It’s not about measuring how many particles are present (that would be a particulate concentration test), nor about cleaning surfaces or assessing chemical reactivity—those serve different purposes and don’t directly show whether containment is being maintained.