One key reason is that aseptic techniques are used to prevent the contamination of unwanted microorganisms onto equipment and media used in cell culture. Another reason is to stop the spread of microorganisms from reaching the surrounding workspace and individuals working in the laboratory. This is especially important when working with known pathogens, as they can be dangerous to researchers and to the public if they escape the laboratory. Aseptic conditions should also be maintained due to contamination being able to affect the results of dilutions and their accuracy. These errors could cause a failed experiment. Additionally, by using sterile media, pipettes, and tubes, the risk of cross-contamination between samples is lessened, maintaining the purity of dilutions.