containment unit

[kənˈteɪnmənt ˈjuːnɪt]
nounpl: containment units
unidade de contenção
1. A sealed or isolated structure designed to safely hold, confine, or isolate potentially dangerous materials, organisms, radiation, or other hazardous substances
The laboratory uses a containment unit to safely handle infectious pathogens.
O laboratório usa uma unidade de contenção para lidar com segurança com patógenos infecciosos.
2. In scientific and medical contexts, a controlled environment that prevents the escape of biohazardous or chemical materials
The research facility upgraded its containment unit to meet new biosafety standards.
A instalação de pesquisa atualizou sua unidade de contenção para atender aos novos padrões de biossegurança.
3. A specialized chamber or room used in nuclear facilities, medical imaging, or hazardous material storage
The nuclear plant's containment unit prevented radiation from leaking into the environment.
A unidade de contenção da usina nuclear impediu o vazamento de radiação para o meio ambiente.
This term is predominantly used in technical, scientific, and industrial contexts in both Brazilian and American English. In Brazil, it appears frequently in regulatory documents from ANVISA (health authority) and nuclear facilities. The term reflects global scientific standardization and is used identically across Portuguese-speaking countries in formal scientific communication.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
containment chamberisolation unitsealed containerbiohazard containmentconfinement unit
Antonyms / Antônimos
open environmentunrestricted space

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
unidade de contenção
Standard term used in scientific and industrial contexts
Brazil - Medical
câmara de isolamento
Alternative term commonly used in hospital and clinical settings
Portugal
unidade de contenção
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; used in scientific and regulatory documentation
Brazil - Nuclear Industry
câmara de contenção
Specific term used in nuclear power plant contexts

Related Words

containmentbiosafetyisolation chamberhazardous materialquarantine

Related Idioms & Phrases

breach of containment
containment failure
maintain containment protocols
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