Abstract: A laboratory fume hood apparatus and method for containing contaminated air within the confines of the fume hood which includes a generally rectangular housing having a vertically movable door for providing an opening to the interior of the fume hood. A contoured air foil on the bottom of the door, an adjacent sill, openings in the door, a bypass slot formed in the housing and an air directing wall portion within the housing combine to provide a flow of outside air downwardly along the interior surface of the door and then directly toward an exhaust plenum located at the rear wall of the interior cabinet.