What is the purpose of a biosafety cabinet?

A biosafety cabinet is specifically designed to provide a controlled environment while handling infectious materials, minimizing exposure risk for laboratory personnel and preventing contamination of samples and the workspace. The cabinet employs airflow systems that filter and contain airborne pathogens, allowing researchers to work with hazardous agents safely.

While storing biological materials securely is important, biosafety cabinets are not primarily designed for storage; they focus on safety during active manipulation of samples. The assertion about enabling maximum airflow does not reflect the purpose of biosafety cabinets, which aim to balance adequate airflow with containment. Lastly, enhancing chemical handling safety is more relevant to fume hoods rather than biosafety cabinets, which are dedicated to biosafety rather than chemical safety. Hence, the primary function of a biosafety cabinet is to ensure a sterile environment conducive to safely handling infectious materials, which directly aligns with the correct answer.