What is the purpose of a fume hood?

The purpose of a fume hood is primarily to ventilate harmful vapors and safeguard personnel from inhaling toxic substances. Fume hoods are designed with an exhaust system that pulls air away from the user, preventing exposure to hazardous fumes, vapors, and particles generated during experiments. This controlled environment helps maintain a safe workspace by ensuring that any harmful substances do not enter the laboratory air that workers breathe.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary function of a fume hood. Aesthetics are not a function of safety equipment; providing additional workspace is not a foundational purpose of a fume hood since it is primarily a safety feature designed for containment and ventilation. Storing chemicals safely is also not the main objective of a fume hood; dedicated storage cabinets are used for that purpose. Thus, option B effectively captures the essential role that fume hoods play in ensuring the health and safety of lab personnel.