Abstract: A Coanda-type airmover 16 is mounted vertically on a hollow base 10 to draw air through the base from filtering means comprising a pre-filter 26 and an absolute (HEPA) filter 28. The airmover discharges the filtered air upwards. The two filters are stacked on the base for air to be drawn downwards through them from an inlet duct 30 leading horizontally from a contaminated-air inlet 32 of the device. An air tight cover 34 can be secured to cover the inlet 32 of the duct when the equipment is not in use, enabling contaminated filters to be left in place during transportation. The portable device may be used for withdrawing and cleaning fibre-laden air from a working space where asbestos stripping is taking place.