Decontamination

Decontamination is the process of removing a wide variety of biological, chemical, physical and radiation hazards from a particular environment. It is an important tool for managing and minimizing risks to health and safety, both at work and in the general environment. It can be used to reduce the risk of an environmental hazard, such as asbestos, from entering a living space or workplace. It is also used in medical and clinical settings to reduce the risk of infections, such as those caused by viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. Decontamination is also used in agriculture and food processing, to eliminate contamination from pesticides, fertilizers and other sources.