What is the main purpose of a containment facility?

The main purpose of a containment facility is to prevent contamination from escaping. These facilities are designed to safely house infectious materials or animals known to carry pathogens to protect human health, other animals, and the environment. By containing potential contaminants, such facilities minimize the risk of spreading diseases and ensure that any research conducted within those walls does not compromise the surrounding ecosystem or public health.

Containment facilities are equipped with various biosafety measures, such as specialized ventilation systems, sealed environments, and controlled access to prevent unintentional release of pathogens. Furthermore, this focus on preventing contamination ensures compliance with health regulations and guidelines, which is essential for institutions involved in biomedical research and animal care.

The other options highlight important aspects of animal care and containment, but they do not capture the primary goal of such facilities. Keeping animals healthy is vital, but it is not the central focus of a containment facility. Isolating contaminated animals is a part of infection control but is not the overriding purpose of the facility as a whole. Allowing for animal breeding is a function that may occur in some facilities but is not inherently related to their containment purpose.