Why do the cupboards in chemistry laboratories have chimneys?
The cupboards in chemistry laboratories (‘fume cupboards’) are designed to protect the laboratory worker from being exposed to any harmful substances. Air is drawn from outside the cupboard and passes up the chimney (or ‘stack’), along with any harmful gases or vapours, where it is diluted in the atmosphere. Usually, it passes through scrubbers first, to destroy harmful chemicals and prevent any pollution to the environment.
