What is a source capture system designed to do?

A source capture system is specifically designed to capture air contaminants at their source before they can disperse into the surrounding environment. This design is particularly important in industrial settings, laboratories, and manufacturing processes where air pollutants, such as dust, fumes, or vapors, are generated. By capturing these contaminants at their origin, the system prevents harmful exposure to workers and helps maintain the overall air quality of the workplace.

The primary function of source capture systems is to reduce the amount of airborne pollutants by drawing them directly into a ventilation system through hoods or ducts, thus minimizing the risk of inhalation and improving safety and health standards. This is essential for compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.

Other options, like measuring air quality or monitoring temperature changes, pertain to different aspects of air management and environmental monitoring, while dispersing air pollutants directly contradicts the intent of a source capture system, which aims to eliminate contaminants rather than spread them out into the atmosphere.