The removal of contaminants is accomplished by first slowing the fumes to a velocity below 500 fpm and then passing the fumes through four stages of scrubbing. The fumes pass first through a water spray during which some of the larger contaminant particles drop out and the remaining fumes are saturated. The second stage consists of a 12" deep pack of polypropylene, nonclogging, spherical type mass packing which is kept constantly wet by a continuous spray. The saturated fumes are impinged upon the packing and the contaminants are absorbed and carried away in the wash water. After passing through the scrubbing stages, the air is mist laden and must then pass through the two stage gravity mist eliminator section. This consists of a drop out area that removes all but the finest mist, then, a series of vertically mounted PVC eliminator blades provide four 30 degree changes in direction and efficiently eliminates entrained water.