Containments

Containment is the practice of restricting the movement or spread of hazardous materials, pathogens, or other unwanted effects through physical barriers, procedural controls, or policy measures. It applies across fields to reduce risk to people, property, and ecosystems.

In nuclear engineering, containment is the barrier that encloses the reactor and its cooling systems. The containment structure is typically a reinforced concrete shell with a steel liner, designed to prevent the release of radioactive materials under normal operation and in accidents. Inside, the reactor pressure vessel and associated systems are housed, and filtration and venting provisions help manage gases without compromising the barrier. Some designs distinguish a primary containment (the inner barrier) from an enclosing outer barrier that provides a second layer of protection.

In industry and environmental protection, containment prevents spills or leaks from reaching soil, groundwater, or air. Examples include secondary containment around tanks, dikes around storage areas, liners in landfills, and containment ponds. Containment plans also cover detection, cleanup response, and regular inspections to ensure barriers remain intact.

In public health and agriculture, containment refers to measures that limit the spread of disease or pests. Measures include surveillance, quarantine and isolation, border controls, contact tracing, and vaccination campaigns, all aimed at reducing transmission and protecting vulnerable populations.

In shipping and waste management, containment involves packaging and secondary containment to capture leaks during handling and transport, with regulations often requiring spill kits and prompt remediation to minimize environmental impact.

In information technology, containment can mean isolating software or data through sandboxing or containerization to limit the impact of faults or breaches within a system.