Abstract: A method and apparatus for closely protecting a workstation. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a horizontal work surface having a top face, an upstream side and a free side opposite the upstream side, the free side having an edge, the work surface being unobstructed and accessible from above the top face and from at least the free side; (b) continuously blowing clean air over the work surface from the upstream side toward the free side so as to form a substantially horizontal flow of the clean air across the work surface and so that the flow of air has a velocity gradient with an upper layer or stream of air having a substantially higher velocity of flow than a lower layer or stream of the air flowing proximal to the top face; and (c) continuously sucking air from the flow of air into a suction intake disposed near the edge of the free side.