What are hazardous exhaust systems primarily designed to protect against?

Hazardous exhaust systems are primarily designed to protect against airborne contaminants. These systems are crucial in environments where harmful gases, vapors, or particulate matter can be generated, such as in laboratories, manufacturing facilities, or industrial settings. The primary goal of these exhaust systems is to remove or dilute harmful substances from the air, ensuring the safety of personnel and maintaining air quality in the workplace.

Airborne contaminants, which can include chemical fumes, dust, and biological agents, pose significant health risks. By efficiently removing these harmful substances, hazardous exhaust systems help prevent respiratory issues and other health complications for those working in environments where exposure could occur. This design consideration underscores the importance of establishing a safe working environment through effective ventilation and air management practices.

In contrast, while noise pollution, odor control, and temperature variations are important considerations in building design and HVAC systems, they do not specifically address the elimination of hazardous substances, which is the primary focus of hazardous exhaust systems.