Exposure control devices, or ECDs, describes all ventilated engineering controls designed to protect the health of the user during lab and non-lab procedures and processes. ECDs protect users from a variety of hazardous materials:
- Hazardous vapors and gases (chemicals)
- Particulate matter (wet or dry) - dust, shavings, powders, and welding processes
- Heat
Below are examples of common ECDs found on UK campuses. ECDs can be designed to work specific for a lab, therefore, having a unique identification. the name is defined by it's opening type, exhaust purpose, and/or how it is positioned.