Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing material from a surface so that the removed material will not escape into the ambient environment are disclosed. The present invention includes a coagulant-applying mechanism for spraying a coating of coagulant on the material to be removed. Also included is a cutter head assembly which is moved along the surface for scraping the material therefrom. So that the scraped, coagulated material may be safely withdrawn to a storage receptacle, the present invention also includes a mechanism which withdraws the loosened, coagulated particles from the cutter head assembly. The system of the present invention incorporating these elements also includes a sampling container for extracting and storing a portion of the subject material for examination thereof.