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Vertical laminar flow hoods designed to be used to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification procedures with a reduced risk of contamination. These hoods provide a vertical (typically downward) laminar airflow in which PCR procedures are peformed and usually consist of a plastic and/or stainless steel enclosure that includes a high-efficiency particulate-air (HEPA) prefilter and ultraviolet lamps to irradiate the hood, as well as fluorescent working lights, timers, and doors (e.g., hinged sash) for the manipulation of samples, testing devices, and reagents. PCR laminar flow hoods are intended to prevent contamination during the procedures, but they do not provide protection to the user. The hoods are not biological safety enclosures and should not be used when infectious and/or potentially infectious materials and handled; some PCR hoods may provide appropriate shielding for radioactive substances used in the radioactive labeling of DNA.
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